Longmont, Colo., June 17, 2026 – The United States Billiard Media Association today announced that Corey Deuel, Barry Behrman, and Billy Incardona have been elected to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.
Deuel, 48, was elected in the Greatest Player category, while Behrman and Incardona were elected in the Meritorious Service category. The Class of 2026 will be formally inducted later this year.
Known throughout his career as one of pool’s most creative and analytical competitors, Corey Deuel built a résumé spanning three decades at the highest levels of professional competition. Among his career highlights are victories at the prestigious U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship and All Japan Men’s 9-Ball Championship, two of the sport’s premier international titles. A ten-time member of Team USA in the Mosconi Cup, Deuel also captured championships across disciplines ranging from 8-ball, 9-ball, and 10-ball to one-pocket, banks, snooker, and Heyball.
Beyond his tournament victories, Deuel’s influence extended to the evolution of the professional game itself. His innovative break strategies and analytical approach to pattern play exposed competitive advantages that ultimately led to changes in break rules, rack procedures, and event formats. Few players of the modern era have influenced how the game is played and governed as directly as Deuel.
“I’m over the moon that it happened at all,” Deuel said. “Fame was never one of my goals. I just wanted to play the game the best I could. To receive this kind of recognition from people I respect means a great deal to me, and I’m thankful to everyone who helped me along the way.”
Barry Behrman’s impact on professional pool is inseparable from the history of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. From humble beginnings as a Norfolk, Virginia poolroom owner, Behrman built and sustained the U.S. Open for four decades, transforming it into the most prestigious and storied title in American pool. At a time when professional events routinely appeared and disappeared, Behrman’s tournament endured and became the proving ground for generations of champions. The U.S. Open remains one of the sport’s crown jewels, and its legacy is inseparable from the vision and determination of its founder.
“This would have meant the whole world to my dad,” Brady Behrman said. “Everything he ever wanted was to promote pool, grow the sport, and support the players. To be recognized for those efforts was important to him.”
Billy Incardona, 82, has spent nearly five decades serving professional pool as a player, commentator, educator, and ambassador. Widely regarded as one of the premier players of the 1970s, Incardona later became one of the sport’s most respected and recognizable voices. Drawing upon decades of firsthand experience, he helped generations of fans better understand the strategy, patterns, and nuances of the game through television and video commentary. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge, authenticity, humor, and unmistakable personality, Incardona has long been one of professional pool’s most trusted and influential ambassadors.
“To be honest, I may have had a passing thought about the Hall of Fame, but it wasn’t something I spent much time thinking about,” Incardona said. “This is absolutely fantastic for me. I think people recognize that I did good for the game, helped its visibility, and promoted the sport.”
About the Billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.
About the United States Billiard Media Association
Founded in 2007, the United States Billiard Media Association (USBMA) is a non-profit association dedicated to elevating the visibility and status of billiards in the media at large. The USBMA consists of professional print, radio, TV, public relations, and Internet media persons who cover cue sports. One of the association’s main functions is electing of billiard media members to the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame Board for the purpose of nominating and electing players and notable figures to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
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