Purdue Billiards Club has successful season
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/03/2009
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After winning the biggest intercollegiate team billiards tournament in the nation, one club is finally making a name for itself.
If you have ever been in the Purdue Memorial Union’s basement, you might have seen the Union Rack and Roll. You might also have seen the tables taken by players from the Purdue Billiards Club during one of their regular meetings, where they have a chance to play on the tables free for two hours.
Lindsey Dorn, a senior in the College of Science and a member of the billiards club, said that although it has been harder to advertise since Purdue banned the use of flyers, the club is thriving with about 50 members and has had even more people interested in joining.
Dorn has been a member since she was a freshman and has previously held an officer position. “The point of the club is to meet players and improve your skills,” she said. “Many people are afraid to join, thinking the members are advanced, but in reality, the skill level ranges from beginners to intermediate players.”
The club meets once a week and doesn’t require a large time commitment. The meetings provide tips and techniques for beginners, and also provide a two-hour practice time. Members get cheaper rates and discounts at Lafayette Billiards Plus, a local indoor recreation, sales and service store.
The fee to join is little in value compared to the rewards you will receive with your participation in the club, and if you join for the academic or calendar year, you receive a free club T-shirt.
Dorn said many of the members are close friends and hang out outside of the club as well. “We certainly encourage socialization and having fun,” said billiards club president Henry Zhang, a senior in the School of Biomedical Engineering.
Zhang has been a member of the club since his sophomore year and has high hopes for the club in the upcoming year.
“My goals this year are to increase awareness about the Billiards Club, increase the number of members and travel to different universities to compete with other billiards enthusiasts,” Zhang said.
A league from the club, Lobster Chips, recently competed in and won the sixth annual University of Michigan Team Pool Championships. It is the largest intercollegiate team pool tournament in the nation, with 16 teams from around the country and one from Canada.
When asked how he would describe the club in one word, Zhang said, “‘Entertaining,’ because you can relax, have fun, and you never know what kind of cool, clever, weird or accidental shots you or people around you make! You learn to have fun that way.”