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To
get a better idea of Scott's talents and enthusiasm for the
game please read this short bio that he sent me.
Imagine
an 18 yr. old American boy who had NEVER even played a game
of pool! That's how this journey starts. Growing up around
Chicago, and being a snow skier, and racer, I attended college
in Colorado on a ski-racing scholarship. I had never been
introduced to pool...that is until Internationally Famous
Trick Shot Artist Jack White showed up at my school in 1971
to do a show. My jaw literally hit the floor after watching
him make balls disappear, all the while, making the cue ball
dance around the table, like it was on the end of string!
That did it! I now HAD to learn how to play this game! After
giving me a few tips, and suggesting buying Mosconi's little
red book, I dove headfirst into the game. When I returned
to Chicago the next summer, I sought out the Billiard Congress
of America HQ (which was in Chicago at the time), and asked
them to steer me to someone who could give me professional
lessons. They suggested an older gentleman on the NW side
of Chicago, by the name of Frank Oliva. I went to Frank twice
a week for lessons for the next two summers, all the while,
practicing and playing in tournaments against many excellent
Chicago players, including Dallas West, Wendall Weir, and
Leon Ledford, among others.
By the time I got out of college, I decided to play pool on
the road for a living. Having maintained my friendship with
Jack White, I learned a lot about how to gamble pool effectively,
and traveled around the country for a few years. As is true
in many things, you don't necessarily have to be the best
at something to make a living...just intelligent! During this
time, I lived quite well, never having to spend nights in
my car, or eating cheap food. However, like most pool players,
I never saved much, and usually just had my BR (bankroll)
to stake me. I never accepted offers from stakehorses to back
me, and never dumped a game to try to cheat somebody. I also
NEVER hustled anybody in my life! I had more moral character
than that, and never pretended that I couldn't play, just
to get somebody to bet. During this time, I played many famous
and not-so-famous pool players, losing to some and beating
others, but never failing to learn SOMETHING new from each
experience.
After
tiring of the people who 'live on the edge', as many gamblers
do, I learned that I had an affinity for teaching. This led
to developing a pool class at my alma mater, and then again,
in more detail when I moved to Montana in the 80's. At Montana
State University I developed a teaching program that turned
out a Collegiate National Champion, as well as an 2nd and
3rd place finisher at the national level. Over the years I
have taught and coached several men and women, who have gone
on to win national titles in 8-ball and 9-ball
.
Jim S, Scott Lee, and Chris Cass...from the Billiards Digest
website's Cue Chalk Board
In
1993, having still maintained a friendship with Jack White,
I was contacted by Mr. White regarding the possibility of
taking over his tour (which had grown over decades to become
the largest, most successful pool tour, for an individual).
I took over Mr. White's tour in 1995, after traveling with
him for much of 1994, and now perform at over 100 colleges
and universities annually, across the United States, living
on the road for up to 250 days a year. My teaching workshops
and trick shot shows have been seen at military bases, poolrooms,
and higher learning institutions everywhere.
I
have had the benefit of experience and instruction from many
fine pool players and teachers, over the years, including
Mr. Oliva, Mr. White, famed BCA instructor Jerry Briesath,
and trick shot artists Willie Jopling, Tom Rossman, and Mike
Massey. As a lifelong student of the game, I continue to expand
my knowledge, and share it with others everywhere I go. After
becoming a BCA certified instructor almost 10 yrs. ago, I
have continually been involved with higher learning concerning
all aspects of billiard games, and now, at the advanced level,
I promote play and teach all ability levels, from beginner
to expert.
Being
one of the 'newer' guys out there making it happen, I am very
fortunate to be able to make a very nice living do a job I
am so passionate about. I cannot wait to get up every morning
and go to work! I always put on an entertaining and educational
performance. I hope to see you out there "on the tables"!
Scott
Lee (poolology@aol.com)
The
Traveling College of Billiard Knowledge
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