User:Billiardsguy/sandbox

=Steve Lillis (Pool Player)=

Steve Lillis (Born November 5, 1950) is a professional pool player and the founder of Gospel Trick Shot Ministries. Lillis toured the United States throughout the early 1980s, winning events such as the BCA Georgia State 9-Ball tournament, the Miller Lite Tennessee State 8-Ball tournament, and several others. After a retirement of several years, he founded Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, an organization dedicated to promoting God through artistic pool demonstrations.

Early Life
Lillis grew up in New York City in the 1950s. His parents became Christians in 1957, and began to take him to church with them. There he met Bobby Richardson, second baseman for the New York Yankees. The meeting sparked his love of baseball, and Lillis played through college, almost landing a major league contract until an injury ended his career.

With baseball no longer an option, Lillis turned to professional billiards. He had been playing since the age of 8 or 9, and in high school had started playing serious matches against other players. Lillis became a serious hustler, making increasingly large bets. At the age of 25, a combination of stress, drug and alcohol abuse led to a mental breakdown.

United States Navy
Lillis turned to his Christianity for support, and began to rekindle relationships that he had broken. Deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps, Lillis joined the United States Navy. Despite attempting to stay away from pool – he blamed the associated lifestyle for his drug and alcohol abuse – his skill at it was noticed by his shipmates. He was added to the Navy’s team in 1977, and represented it in tournaments until his request to be discharged.

Professional Career
Lillis, together with his wife Camille, toured the United States professionally throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Major wins include the 1980 BCA Georgia State 9-Ball tournament, the 1981 Miller Lite Tennessee State 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments, as well as the 1981 Miller Lite Southeastern State 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments.

Lillis and Camille settled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after being invited by fellow professional pool player Mike Massey to manage tournaments at his chain of local pool halls. Lillis retired from professional pool until 2000, when he competed in the first ever WPA World Artistic Pool Championship and BCA North American Championship. From 2001 to 2004, Lillis served as Vice President and then Chairman of the World Pool and Billiard Association Artistic Division.

Gospel Trick Shot Ministries
In 1996, Lillis formed Gospel Trick Shot Ministries with the goal of using his skill at pool to spread Christianity. Through the organization, Lillis travels to churches, youth organizations, and professional tournaments, often with other professional pool players. There he performs and teaches trick shots to spread the sport of pool, and talks about his experiences to help spread his Christian faith.

Performances with Gospel Trick Shot Ministries

 * 2006 Coreographed an artistic billiard show for Telesports TV
 * 2006 Appeared in the television program "The 700 Club"
 * 2005 Performed a trick shot show broadcast on Chinese National Television
 * 2004 Appeared on ESPN TV as Master of Ceremonies and Head Table Judge for the 2004 Men's International Challenge of Champions
 * 2004 Appeared on ESPN TV as Master of Ceremonies and Head Table Judge for the 2004 Women's International Trick Shot Challenge

Titles

 * 2016 "Back to School" 8-Ball Open Tournament Winner
 * 1982 BCA Florida State 9-Ball Champion
 * 1981 Miller Lite Tennessee State 8-Ball Champion
 * 1981 Miller Lite Tennessee State 9-Ball Champion
 * 1981 Miller Lite Southeastern State 8-Ball Champion
 * 1981 Miller Lite Southeastern State 9-Ball Champion
 * 1980 BCA Georgia State 9-Ball Champion
 * 1979 BCA Colorado State 8-Ball Champion