This Day in Pool History

Mar
2
Sat
1984: Death of Don Willis
Mar 2 all-day
1984: Death of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

May
1
Wed
1909: Birth of Don Willis
May 1 all-day
1909: Birth of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

Aug
26
Mon
2001: Jeanette Lee wins Gold in World Games
Aug 26 all-day
2001: Jeanette Lee wins Gold in World Games

Hall of fame player Jeanette Lee — better known to fans as The Black Widow — claimed multiple titles during the 1990s, eventually rose to the top of the rankings that decade and in ‘98 was declared the Women’s Professional Billiards Association Sportsperson of the Year. But one of her most noteworthy accomplishments occurred overseas, in Japan, during the World Games of 2001.

It was in that year, for the first time ever, that the World Games included cue sports — pool, snooker and three-cushion billiards — and Lee was among only five players selected to represent the United States in it. Many also considered her the most likely among them to take home gold.

The tournament ran Aug. 25-26, 2001. Read more here.

Sep
29
Sun
1950: Birth of “St. Louie” Louis Roberts
Sep 29 all-day

“St. Louie” Louie Roberts born on Sept. 29, 1950.

Mar
2
Sun
1984: Death of Don Willis
Mar 2 all-day
1984: Death of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

May
1
Thu
1909: Birth of Don Willis
May 1 all-day
1909: Birth of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

Aug
26
Tue
2001: Jeanette Lee wins Gold in World Games
Aug 26 all-day
2001: Jeanette Lee wins Gold in World Games

Hall of fame player Jeanette Lee — better known to fans as The Black Widow — claimed multiple titles during the 1990s, eventually rose to the top of the rankings that decade and in ‘98 was declared the Women’s Professional Billiards Association Sportsperson of the Year. But one of her most noteworthy accomplishments occurred overseas, in Japan, during the World Games of 2001.

It was in that year, for the first time ever, that the World Games included cue sports — pool, snooker and three-cushion billiards — and Lee was among only five players selected to represent the United States in it. Many also considered her the most likely among them to take home gold.

The tournament ran Aug. 25-26, 2001. Read more here.

Sep
29
Mon
1950: Birth of “St. Louie” Louis Roberts
Sep 29 all-day

“St. Louie” Louie Roberts born on Sept. 29, 1950.

Mar
2
Mon
1984: Death of Don Willis
Mar 2 all-day
1984: Death of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

May
1
Fri
1909: Birth of Don Willis
May 1 all-day
1909: Birth of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here.