North America Billiards League in Billiards Snooker Directory

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Billiard Congress of America (BCA) in Billiard Wholesale Directory

 

Achieve a united, growing, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. Enhance the success of our members and promote the game of billiards. Effective April 1, 2007, the Billiard Congress of America will be headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado (north of Denver), with administrative services managed by Meeting Expectations in Atlanta. Read the press release detailing recent changes to the national office. The Billiard Congress of America was established in 1948, with early involvement by players like Willie Mosconi and Willie Hoppe. The objective was to organize the players and promote the sport through qualifying tournaments at the local, regional and national levels in Straight Pool and 3-Cushion billiards (the popular competitive disciplines of the era) and recognize those champions. Organizers were also determined to produce an official rulebook to standardize the sport and help fund the effort; and to involve billiard rooms, retailers and manufacturers in meeting these promotional goals. During World War II, a great number of soldiers took up billiards at military camps and the industry expected a tremendous surge in peacetime popularity for the sport. But instead, soldiers generally returned home, got married, started families and built a suburban life. Despite the best efforts of the many constituents of the BCA, the sport fell into a depression in the late 1940s and the entire 1950s. Throughout this period, the association was anchored by its official rulebook and the official recognition of World and National Championships only through BCA sanctioning. In 1961 the movie The Hustler was released and single-handedly revived the sport for a few years. The BCA began promoting the US Open 14.1 Championships in 1966, the most prestigious professional event of its time. From 1948 to 1980, the BCA had a board of directors and elected officers, but no physical headquarters. The National Sporting Goods Association kept the files of the BCA, and handled day-to-day administration. In 1980, long-time US Open director Robert Froeschle volunteered to set up a permanent BCA office in his hometown of Iowa City, Iowa. The BCA called Iowa City its home for many years, moving to bigger office space as the organization grew. In 1982 the BCA board of directors decided to develop and host an industry trade show, at which all segments of the sport could meet. Today the BCA International Billiards & Home Recreation Expo is the largest billiard trade show in the world. Profits from the show, along with retail sales of Billiards: The Official Rules & Records Book generate substantial operating revenues, which allow the BCA to promote the sport at many different levels. In February of 2000, the BCA relocated once again. But rather than move across town, the organization packed its bags and moved across the country to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the hope of attracting corporate sponsors and moving cue sports toward Olympic recognition. With access to two major airports, Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Training Center and numerous National Governing Bodies for current Olympic sports. In 2004 the BCA re-dedicated itself to achieving a united, growing, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA enhances the success of its members and promotes the game of billiards through educational programs, the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, tournaments and other programs designed to make pool everybodys game.

 

Address: Billiard Congress of America, 3525 Piedmont Road, Building Five, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305
Telephone: 866-852-0999
Website: http://www.bca-pool.com/