06-07-2002, 11:03 AM
From Charlie Williams: (PHEW!) I Remember when just being a Pro Player was Tough!
Hello EVERYBODY,
It’s funny, a little over a year ago I would never have imagined that I would be the subject of so much controversy!
But now it seems like a routine part of my life.
I remember when I was just a player I thought I had problems. “When’s the next tournament? Where can I get a new sponsor? Am I practicing enough? How am I going to beat Efren?”
Those were the good ol’ days. Now it’s a whole new ballgame for me.
My eyes have been opened to a whole new world and sometimes its not pretty. There are a lot of politics out there and a lot of problems the everyday fans don’t see(sometimes even the pro players don’t know or see!). It can become a tough balance. How many of you out there can tell me who is the BCA, WPA, IBC, WCS, IBC, WPBA, APA, JPA,EPBF,APBU, or the UPA. Then define what they do. A year ago I couldn’t but now I can!
Many people warned me in the beginning(and now I believe them) that not everybody would be crazy about a strong men’s association, especially with a leader with radical ideas or very strong opinions. And perhaps there are those that also fear the success I am gaining as a promoter. And maybe being a top player makes me a triple threat. Yeah, there are probably enemies out there that I don’t know about, but just like the rolls in 9-ball,I know now that is just part of the game.
I have always(and still do) hear people complain about the problems in pool. That is so easy to do . What’s harder to do is to find people with solutions to those problems. And what’s even harder than that is to find a handful of people willing to execute the solutions. And that my friends is the UPA Board. And let me tell you first hand, these people bust their _ss for our sport. (especially our vice-president who anchors the UPA and runs a multi-million dollar software company in his spare time)
It was great when I used to schedule my practice times at the poolroom, see when I would workout at the gym, and then play in the local weekly tournaments at my homeroom. Oops! Not to mention spending all my other freetime with my girlfriend!
Now I schedule a whole pro tour, negotiate deals with sponsors, check my 9 e-mail addresses, phone calls 4-6 hrs a day, deal with other promoters, players, & fans, and balance politics with other associations. Then I’ll goto my local poolroom at 1 am and practice for 30 minutes then fall asleep on their couch and go home(that’s how I won the BCA Open!).
I’m not complaining at all. That is my life and I love it because I feel like I’m making a difference. And when I pull my hair out and want to scream(just every other day) I remind myself that this is the road I have chosen and be thankful that you’re still in the top 10(how did that happen?!)
I know that there are people itching to see me fail. I guess its human nature to want to see public figures falter. So be it. I’m willing to take the blame or heat for my actions or even the actions of the UPA and its players. If I can keep 80% of the people out there happy, then I am thrilled!
I am a young president( I’m 25 years old; if I look younger its because I’m asian; and if look older its because of the UPA). I am a young promoter, and a young player. But those who know me well do not doubt my intentions. I want the best for my players and my sport. I thank God everyday that I am where I am at and making a living doing what I love to do(playing pool & making pool events!).
If I could go down in history as the greatest player ever or the greatest promoter or president of a men’s assoc., I would choose to be the greatest promoter or president ever. Why? Because I know as a player I can only do but so much, and winning titles really only directly benefit myself. But through promoting and leadership I can change the whole sport. Now that WOULD be history.
Just to forewarn everybody, I and my UPA brothers(& sisters!) are planning on making some CHANGES. There will be things that we or I might do that might make fans shake but benefits the players.There might be things that make the industry nervous but benefits the fans and players.And there might be things that the players don’t like but the fans & sponsors will. But it is all for the advancement of our sport. Pool.(don’t say pocket billiards- “pool” is not a dirty word!)
I apologize to those whose toes I have stepped on. I apologize to the people I have been short or curt with. Sorry if I sometimes seem impersonal or pre-occupied. And to those who have not experienced these sides of me, then I apologize in advance because you probably will.
But please remember a few things about me( that I will mention ever so modestly): I have integrity. I am honest. I am open-minded. And most of all, I am a man of ACTION.
So keep in mind as I do, all of those things above that I try to balance. I’m sure you have a balancing act of your own everyday in your life. But like the rolls in 9-Ball, it’s just part of the game. But the great players always know that the rolls always even out, and it’s the more focused player that wins the match.
Charlie Williams
PS Thanks to all those who have supported myself, my events, and the UPA. Thank you to all the companies, magazines and media, UPA Board & advisors, players, and of course fans( Jay M, Drake, Stephen Z your support hasn’t gone unnoticed-thank you) .Your support helps encourages me to continue to bust my butt.
And to those who don’t have too many nice things to say about me…well I guess you’re part of the 20% that I’ll have to listen to to try to improve what I do in the future.
Hello EVERYBODY,
It’s funny, a little over a year ago I would never have imagined that I would be the subject of so much controversy!
But now it seems like a routine part of my life.
I remember when I was just a player I thought I had problems. “When’s the next tournament? Where can I get a new sponsor? Am I practicing enough? How am I going to beat Efren?”
Those were the good ol’ days. Now it’s a whole new ballgame for me.
My eyes have been opened to a whole new world and sometimes its not pretty. There are a lot of politics out there and a lot of problems the everyday fans don’t see(sometimes even the pro players don’t know or see!). It can become a tough balance. How many of you out there can tell me who is the BCA, WPA, IBC, WCS, IBC, WPBA, APA, JPA,EPBF,APBU, or the UPA. Then define what they do. A year ago I couldn’t but now I can!
Many people warned me in the beginning(and now I believe them) that not everybody would be crazy about a strong men’s association, especially with a leader with radical ideas or very strong opinions. And perhaps there are those that also fear the success I am gaining as a promoter. And maybe being a top player makes me a triple threat. Yeah, there are probably enemies out there that I don’t know about, but just like the rolls in 9-ball,I know now that is just part of the game.
I have always(and still do) hear people complain about the problems in pool. That is so easy to do . What’s harder to do is to find people with solutions to those problems. And what’s even harder than that is to find a handful of people willing to execute the solutions. And that my friends is the UPA Board. And let me tell you first hand, these people bust their _ss for our sport. (especially our vice-president who anchors the UPA and runs a multi-million dollar software company in his spare time)
It was great when I used to schedule my practice times at the poolroom, see when I would workout at the gym, and then play in the local weekly tournaments at my homeroom. Oops! Not to mention spending all my other freetime with my girlfriend!
Now I schedule a whole pro tour, negotiate deals with sponsors, check my 9 e-mail addresses, phone calls 4-6 hrs a day, deal with other promoters, players, & fans, and balance politics with other associations. Then I’ll goto my local poolroom at 1 am and practice for 30 minutes then fall asleep on their couch and go home(that’s how I won the BCA Open!).
I’m not complaining at all. That is my life and I love it because I feel like I’m making a difference. And when I pull my hair out and want to scream(just every other day) I remind myself that this is the road I have chosen and be thankful that you’re still in the top 10(how did that happen?!)
I know that there are people itching to see me fail. I guess its human nature to want to see public figures falter. So be it. I’m willing to take the blame or heat for my actions or even the actions of the UPA and its players. If I can keep 80% of the people out there happy, then I am thrilled!
I am a young president( I’m 25 years old; if I look younger its because I’m asian; and if look older its because of the UPA). I am a young promoter, and a young player. But those who know me well do not doubt my intentions. I want the best for my players and my sport. I thank God everyday that I am where I am at and making a living doing what I love to do(playing pool & making pool events!).
If I could go down in history as the greatest player ever or the greatest promoter or president of a men’s assoc., I would choose to be the greatest promoter or president ever. Why? Because I know as a player I can only do but so much, and winning titles really only directly benefit myself. But through promoting and leadership I can change the whole sport. Now that WOULD be history.
Just to forewarn everybody, I and my UPA brothers(& sisters!) are planning on making some CHANGES. There will be things that we or I might do that might make fans shake but benefits the players.There might be things that make the industry nervous but benefits the fans and players.And there might be things that the players don’t like but the fans & sponsors will. But it is all for the advancement of our sport. Pool.(don’t say pocket billiards- “pool” is not a dirty word!)
I apologize to those whose toes I have stepped on. I apologize to the people I have been short or curt with. Sorry if I sometimes seem impersonal or pre-occupied. And to those who have not experienced these sides of me, then I apologize in advance because you probably will.
But please remember a few things about me( that I will mention ever so modestly): I have integrity. I am honest. I am open-minded. And most of all, I am a man of ACTION.
So keep in mind as I do, all of those things above that I try to balance. I’m sure you have a balancing act of your own everyday in your life. But like the rolls in 9-Ball, it’s just part of the game. But the great players always know that the rolls always even out, and it’s the more focused player that wins the match.
Charlie Williams
PS Thanks to all those who have supported myself, my events, and the UPA. Thank you to all the companies, magazines and media, UPA Board & advisors, players, and of course fans( Jay M, Drake, Stephen Z your support hasn’t gone unnoticed-thank you) .Your support helps encourages me to continue to bust my butt.
And to those who don’t have too many nice things to say about me…well I guess you’re part of the 20% that I’ll have to listen to to try to improve what I do in the future.