Billiard Education Foundation Announces Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities for High School Seniors

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce that they are accepting applications for the 2010 scholarship awards. The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is administered annually under the direction and guidance of the BEF Board of Trustees. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2010 and can be downloaded by going to the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org.

The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is divided into two categories: Excellence in Education scholarship (one $5,000 scholarship awarded over a two-year term) and Aiming for Higher Education scholarships (seven individual scholarships at $1,000 each). The objective of the BEF Academic Scholarship Program is to grant scholarships to high school seniors who have benefited from the sport of billiards and are pursuing a college education.

Prospects must adhere to the following scholarship criteria: 1) hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale); 2) must have an ACT score of at least 23 or SAT combined score (critical reading + math) of 1050 or higher; 3) submit a 500-1000 word essay on how billiards has been an integral part of their life; 4) must be accepted to an accredited undergraduate academic program by June 1, 2010; 5) must attend an accredited undergraduate institution and carry at least 12 hours per semester.

The final application must also include a letter from the applicant outlining academic achievements, leadership and/or community service work, a description of the applicant’s background and career objectives, personal and professional (academic) goals. Applicants must also submit an official High School Transcript and SAT/ACT scores.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization and is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. For more information, visit www.BilliardEducation.org , phone 303.926.1039 or e-mail info@BilliardEducation.org.

Billiard Pros up for Challenge

Challenge the Stars… play the pros in Las Vegas

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) will host the annual Challenge the Stars benefit in conjunction with the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and the 9th Annual Predator International 10-Ball Championships in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 12th. Diamond Billiard Products will provide the tables for the festivities which will take place in the Grande Ballroom of the Riviera Hotel & Casino at 8:00 pm. This benefit gives all players and spectators an opportunity to support youth billiard programs while mingling with and competing with top pros from all over the world.

Over 100 pros will be invited to participate, including defending champion Tony Drago (Malta), Shane Van Boening (USA), Efren Reyes (PHI), Allison Fisher (ENG), Jeanette Lee (USA), Dennis Orcullo (PHI), Ralf Souquet (GER), Johnny Archer (USA), Charlie Williams (USA), Tony Robles (USA), Francisco Bustamante (PHI), Mika Immonen (FIN), Allen Hopkins (USA), Rodney Morris (USA), Yu Ram Cha (KOR), Niels Feijen (NED), Thorsten Hohmann (GER), Rafael Martinez (MEX), Manuel Gama (POR), John Morra (CAN) , Tom“Dr. Cue” Rossman (USA) and many more.

Challengers can select 3 options of play: the BEF Challenge, $20 donation, challenger plays one game of 9-ball with designated pro, the Pro Challenge, $40 donation, shoot one game of 9-ball with one of your three top choices, based on availability, or the Ultimate Challenge, $100 donation, play three games of 9-ball with one of your three top choices, based on availability. All challengers will receive an autographed certificate and a souvenir photo taken with their pro.

Spectators and amateur players can also share in the fun by bidding on an array of prizes and participating in the raffles. Whether you challenge a pro, participate in the auction or make a donation, you can make a difference in youth billiard programs. Admission is FREE. All proceeds benefit BEF programs such as: scholarships, BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships and the “Pool In School” program.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization. For more information about the BEF, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or contact Laura Smith at 303.926.1039 or e-mail info@BilliardEducation.org.

2009 Junior Nationals and Collegiate Billiards Championships

Illinois State University to Host 2009 Junior Nationals & Collegiate 9-Ball Championships

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is excited to announce that Illinois State University (ISU) will host the 21st Annual Junior Nationals and the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate 9-Ball Championships on July 21-26. The collegiate event will be held Tuesday through Thursday, while junior competition will take place Thursday through Sunday.

The Bone Student Center (BSC), located on the ISU campus in Normal, IL, has 15 Brunswick billiard tables that will be the stage to an expected 200 young billiard athletes. Junior players will be competing for scholarships, prizes, and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World Championships.

To participate in the BEF Junior Nationals, players must earn an entry through a BEF qualifier or must be appointed by their local junior league. The national event features 4 divisions: 19 & Under Boys, 19 & Under Girls, 14 & Under Boys, and 14 & Under Girls. Qualifiers will be held throughout the United States through June 7. For more information about hosting a qualifier, league guidelines, or upcoming qualifier dates and locations, visit www.BilliardEducation.org. Collegiate participants must be invited to participate through an ACUI regional tournament, visit www.acui.org for more information.
The Junior National sponsors include Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Delta-13 Rack, and Billiard Congress of America (BCA).
The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization committed to furthering the standard of excellence and leadership within the billiard community by engaging in activities related to the education and cultural advancement of tomorrow’s leaders.

 

To become a sponsor, make a donation or inquiry, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or contact Laura Smith at 303-926-1039 or LauraSmith@BilliardEducation.org.

North America Shines at 2008 World Pool-Billiard Junior 9-Ball Championships

North America Shines at 2008 World Pool-Billiard Junior 9-Ball Championships

The 2008 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships was held in Reno, Nevada, December 1st – 3rd. Young billiard athletes from 22 countries traveled to the United States to participate in the 33 player boys’ division and 18 player girls’ division. Among the 17 participants representing North America were: Austin Murphy of Folsom, CA; Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY; Nick Tafoya of Albuquerque, NM; Billy Thorpe of Dayton, OH; Adam Davis of Raleigh, NC; Joshua Newman of Bessemer City, NC; Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, CA; Allison Hardwick and Chelsea Hardwick of Evansville, IN; Briana Miller of Allentown, PA; Nicole Hernandez of Des Plaines, IL; Heather Torpin of Mesa, AZ ; Jauslinn Arnold of Bakersfield, CA; and from Canada, Greg Quinn, McEarl Bucais, Marc Bucais and Brittany Bryant.

Brittany Bryant of Canada won the gold and was crowned the 2008 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Champion, Girls’ division. Bryant went undefeated throughout the tournament, beginning with a close match over Karen Garcia of Nicaragua 7-6. She continued her winning streak defeating Chelsea Hardwick of the USA 7-3, Kim Witzel of Germany 7-5 and Sabrina Naverschnig of Austria 7-3 before winning a thrilling finals match against Konischi Samia of Japan9-8.

Representing the United States in the girls’ division, thirteen year old Briana Miller became the USA high-finisher. Miller won her first 3 matches before moving to the one loss side and was eliminated in a close 6-7 match, finishing tied for 5th place. Also representing the USA were sisters Allison and Chelsea Hardwick. An unfortunate draw paired the 2 sisters in their first round with Chelsea taking the match 7-5. Chelsea continued to charge ahead, finishing tied for 7th place. Sharing the 7th place finish, Heather Torpin displayed much perseverance and remained poised in spite of her two heartbreaking 6-7 losses. Making her debut, Jauslinn Arnold finished tied for 9th, while Allison Hardwick and Nicole Hernandez, both tied for 13th place.

Leading the North American contingent in the boys’ division was Nick Tafoya. Tafoya was temporarily slowed down in his second match by World Champion Pin-Yi Ko of Taiwan, losing 4-9. The determined Tafoya regained momentum with wins against USA Junior National Champions Austin Murphy 9-6 and Landon Shuffett 9-5 before falling short in an exciting 7-9 match, finishing tied for 9th place. Other top North American finishes include a tie for 13th place by Landon Shuffett and McEarl Bucais. Although Shuffett lost a thrilling 7-9 match to Bucais, he continued his flawless play before getting ousted by Tafoya. Austin Murphy, Joshua Newman and 12 year old Billy Thorpe finished tied for 17th place, while Adam Davis, Brendan Crockett, Marc Bucais and Greg Quinn finished tied for 25th place.

For more information about the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the World Junior Championships, players or tournament brackets, visit www.wpa-tour.com or www.wpa-pool.com

A special thanks to the Billiard Congress of America (BCA), as the North American member to the WPA, for bringing this prestigious event to the United States, for their financial support and for the opportunity made available for juniors to compete in the WPA World Junior9-Ball Championships. Also, thanks to the United States Pool Players Association (USPPA) for taking on the task of hosting and producing this event.

Many thanks to the parents, families, fans and sponsors that support and help make it possible for young billiard athletes to pursue their passion and develop life skills through billiards.

The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization committed to furthering the standard of excellence and leadership within the billiard community by engaging in activities related to the education and cultural advancement of tomorrow’s leaders.

For more information about the BEF, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or contact Laura Smith at 303.926.1039 or e-mail LauraSmith@BilliardEducation.org.

Billiard Education Foundation Announces 2009 Scholarship Opportunities

Billiard Education Foundation Announces 2009 Scholarship Opportunities

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce that they are accepting applications for the 2009 scholarship awards. The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is administered annually under the direction and guidance of the BEF Board of Trustees. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 16, 2009 and can be downloaded by going to the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org.

The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is divided into two categories: Excellence in Education scholarship (one $5,000 scholarship awarded over a two-year term) and Aiming for Higher Education scholarships (seven individual scholarships at $1,000 each). The objective of the BEF Academic Scholarship Program is to grant scholarships to high school seniors who have benefited from the sport of billiards and are pursuing a college education.

Prospects must adhere to the following scholarship criteria: 1) hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale); 2) must have an ACT score of at least 23 or combined SAT score of at least 1400; 3) submit a 500-1000 word essay on how billiards has been an integral part of their life; 4) must be accepted to an accredited undergraduate academic program by June 1, 2009; 5) must attend an accredited undergraduate institution and carry at least 12 hours per semester. .

The final application must also include a letter from the applicant outlining academic achievements, leadership and/or community service work, a description of the applicant’s background and career objectives, personal and professional (academic) goals, and chosen discipline of study.  Applicants must also submit an official High School Transcript and SAT/ACT scores.

The BEF would like to thank all the contributors that make this scholarship and other BEF programs possible. If you would like to become a donor and make a difference in the growth of billiard programs for our youth, please contact the BEF office at 303.926.1039

The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization committed to furthering the standard of excellence and leadership within the billiard community by engaging in activities related to the education and cultural advancement of tomorrow’s leaders.

For more information about the BEF, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org, contact Laura Smith at 303.926.1039, or e-mail info@BilliardEducation.org.