This year the UPA decided to let the official decisions for our end of the year awards fall into the hands of those opinions who matter most in our industry, the fans! Take a moment to help us determine who will receive these honored awards. Also please take special note of our blog sponsors as each month we will feature the sponsor who is helping to provide prize money for category winners. If you would like information on how to support our players in this area please contact us. Thank you!
Frank Alvarez III
UPA President
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Every Vote Counts...
Friday, January 25, 2008
New UPA Blog!
Salutations Players, Fans and Enthusiasts,
My name is Angel Levine and I love the sport of pocket billiards. My love for the game consumed me from the moment I realized I could pocket a ball. From that time on, I endeavored to acquire as much knowledge and skill as I could attain to improve my table skills and thereby be a better player, maybe even go pro. I sought out every room in Chicago with a table and watched and listened and gleaned small kernels of knowledge from those who I encountered with cue in hand. Many times I unknowingly spoke to champions from the past and road players whose real names had been replaced by some formidable nickname. It was these fine players of the sport that encouraged and mentored me without taking my money or trying to hit on me, not that some didn’t try.
I have left the game and come back to it repeatedly and I never turned pro. My thought to open my own room fell short. Many of the great players I played alongside and kibitzed with were now succumbing to time. It seemed a shame to have champions that were monsters of their day, lost to the ages, sometimes with little or no recognition of their passing. When life gets tumultuous, I go back to my game. I decided to get back into stroke and I approached my friend and mentor, Billiard Digest columnist and author/player Larry Schwartz for a lesson. He gave me some pointers and then hit a masse shot with the deftest touch.
“I wish I had a camera, that was beautiful.” I said aloud. And it dawned on me I did! Not only did I have a camera, I had a video camera and I could go where others couldn’t go to film because of who I am. And with that, I started filming a documentary on pool and billiards. Maybe you’ve seen me with my camera in hand. It’s been nearly two years now and I take pride in knowing that I can give back to the sport in a way I never dreamed possible.
I’ve met and developed friendships with champions of the sport and the industry, and I am humbled. I never knew that I could be the cog in the wheel that actually helps it turn. Knowing that my small voice has impact is profound to me. All voices have impact. So now we present to you the UPA’s official blog where you will find interesting stories, tips, and many thoughts from the world’s greatest players.
Welcome aboard!
Angel Levine
My name is Angel Levine and I love the sport of pocket billiards. My love for the game consumed me from the moment I realized I could pocket a ball. From that time on, I endeavored to acquire as much knowledge and skill as I could attain to improve my table skills and thereby be a better player, maybe even go pro. I sought out every room in Chicago with a table and watched and listened and gleaned small kernels of knowledge from those who I encountered with cue in hand. Many times I unknowingly spoke to champions from the past and road players whose real names had been replaced by some formidable nickname. It was these fine players of the sport that encouraged and mentored me without taking my money or trying to hit on me, not that some didn’t try.
I have left the game and come back to it repeatedly and I never turned pro. My thought to open my own room fell short. Many of the great players I played alongside and kibitzed with were now succumbing to time. It seemed a shame to have champions that were monsters of their day, lost to the ages, sometimes with little or no recognition of their passing. When life gets tumultuous, I go back to my game. I decided to get back into stroke and I approached my friend and mentor, Billiard Digest columnist and author/player Larry Schwartz for a lesson. He gave me some pointers and then hit a masse shot with the deftest touch.
“I wish I had a camera, that was beautiful.” I said aloud. And it dawned on me I did! Not only did I have a camera, I had a video camera and I could go where others couldn’t go to film because of who I am. And with that, I started filming a documentary on pool and billiards. Maybe you’ve seen me with my camera in hand. It’s been nearly two years now and I take pride in knowing that I can give back to the sport in a way I never dreamed possible.
I’ve met and developed friendships with champions of the sport and the industry, and I am humbled. I never knew that I could be the cog in the wheel that actually helps it turn. Knowing that my small voice has impact is profound to me. All voices have impact. So now we present to you the UPA’s official blog where you will find interesting stories, tips, and many thoughts from the world’s greatest players.
Welcome aboard!
Angel Levine
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