Chris in NC
02-10-2004, 12:20 PM
I haven't been on or posted on the board in a number of months, but decided to check it today mainly just to see what the consensus of feelings is among posters regarding Ewa Laurance's recent selection in to the BCA HOF - over Earl Strickland and Alan Hopkins. Unless I overlooked it, I surprisingly have seen no threads on what I would think should be a rather intersting and heated topic of discussion here.
My feelings on this are mixed, as Ewa and Mitch have been here to visit us and our poolroom a number of times in the past when they lived in Charlotte, and I consider Ewa as a friend. As this is about a big an achievement a pro pool player can possibly get for their career, I know Ewa (and Mitch) are very happy and I congratulate her for this accomplishment.
Even if she never wins again, I figured Ewa would eventually make it to the HOF - likely based moreso on the attention and increased popularity she has brought to the game and to the WPBA, than based on her tournament record alone. From the New York Times Magazine cover exposure nearly 20 years ago and still now there is no question she has brought glamour, sex appeal and class to the game and to the WPBA, not to mention the leadership she's provided for the women's tour as a former and current WPBA President, and as a spokesperson/endorser for Brunswick Billiards for virtually her entire career.
For so long Jean Balukus was the only female HOF member - which seemed to be an awfully high measuring stick to compare any other female player to in terms of HOF consideration. Now in the past 3 years we've got 2 more women players that have been inducted - Loree Jon and Ewa. Without looking up their tournament records, my guess is that LJ had more WPBA tour wins, US Open wins and WPA World Championship wins in her career than did Ewa. Of course they both pale in comparison to Allison Fisher's tournament record - even if you don't include Allison's 10 years of dominance in snooker.
At just 40 years of age, I don't know if the timing is appropriate to be electing a player into the HOF when she's still competing full-time on the WPBA tour, although she hasn't won a pro tournament in 6 years. Yes, Ewa had a period of excellence in the late 80s and early 90s, but it was in that time gap between Jean Balukus and Allison Fisher, and she certainly didn't dominate that period as either of those two players have. It seems to me that this choice now makes a case for some other WPBA players to be considered for the HOF as well - particularly Robin Bell Dodson - whose tournament record likely surpasses Ewa's. For that matter I'm sure Jeanette can't be far removed from eventually making it as well.
I'm not worried about Allison's eventually making it in the HOF. I know she's in no hurry and doesn't even wish to be nominated until she's certainly closer to the end of her tournament career. Neither am I worried about Earl, who has now been nominated twice and failed to be elected. Anyone who would question the tournament records of either of those two as being worthy of HOF membership is absolutely nuts. They will both eventually have their day in the sun.
However, I do feel bad for Alan Hopkins. At his age (pushing 60), he should have long ago been in the HOF, in my opinion. All of his contemporaries are there - some having been there for a long time - Mizerak, Sigel, Varner, Hall and Rempe just to name a few. As far as the greats in one-pocket and straight pool, this man easily ranks in the top 10 in both games - all-time! I'm hopeful that Alan will eventually make it in the HOF, but it's just sad to see him passed over yet again, not to take anything away from Ewa's selection.
I know this post may likely evoke a number of various responses, so bring it on. - Chris in NC
My feelings on this are mixed, as Ewa and Mitch have been here to visit us and our poolroom a number of times in the past when they lived in Charlotte, and I consider Ewa as a friend. As this is about a big an achievement a pro pool player can possibly get for their career, I know Ewa (and Mitch) are very happy and I congratulate her for this accomplishment.
Even if she never wins again, I figured Ewa would eventually make it to the HOF - likely based moreso on the attention and increased popularity she has brought to the game and to the WPBA, than based on her tournament record alone. From the New York Times Magazine cover exposure nearly 20 years ago and still now there is no question she has brought glamour, sex appeal and class to the game and to the WPBA, not to mention the leadership she's provided for the women's tour as a former and current WPBA President, and as a spokesperson/endorser for Brunswick Billiards for virtually her entire career.
For so long Jean Balukus was the only female HOF member - which seemed to be an awfully high measuring stick to compare any other female player to in terms of HOF consideration. Now in the past 3 years we've got 2 more women players that have been inducted - Loree Jon and Ewa. Without looking up their tournament records, my guess is that LJ had more WPBA tour wins, US Open wins and WPA World Championship wins in her career than did Ewa. Of course they both pale in comparison to Allison Fisher's tournament record - even if you don't include Allison's 10 years of dominance in snooker.
At just 40 years of age, I don't know if the timing is appropriate to be electing a player into the HOF when she's still competing full-time on the WPBA tour, although she hasn't won a pro tournament in 6 years. Yes, Ewa had a period of excellence in the late 80s and early 90s, but it was in that time gap between Jean Balukus and Allison Fisher, and she certainly didn't dominate that period as either of those two players have. It seems to me that this choice now makes a case for some other WPBA players to be considered for the HOF as well - particularly Robin Bell Dodson - whose tournament record likely surpasses Ewa's. For that matter I'm sure Jeanette can't be far removed from eventually making it as well.
I'm not worried about Allison's eventually making it in the HOF. I know she's in no hurry and doesn't even wish to be nominated until she's certainly closer to the end of her tournament career. Neither am I worried about Earl, who has now been nominated twice and failed to be elected. Anyone who would question the tournament records of either of those two as being worthy of HOF membership is absolutely nuts. They will both eventually have their day in the sun.
However, I do feel bad for Alan Hopkins. At his age (pushing 60), he should have long ago been in the HOF, in my opinion. All of his contemporaries are there - some having been there for a long time - Mizerak, Sigel, Varner, Hall and Rempe just to name a few. As far as the greats in one-pocket and straight pool, this man easily ranks in the top 10 in both games - all-time! I'm hopeful that Alan will eventually make it in the HOF, but it's just sad to see him passed over yet again, not to take anything away from Ewa's selection.
I know this post may likely evoke a number of various responses, so bring it on. - Chris in NC