Shane Van Boening

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This is a Germanic name; the family name is Van Boening, not Boening.

Shane Van Boening (born 1984) is an American professional pocket billiards (pool) player from Rapid City, South Dakota.

Van Boening is hearing-impaired and uses a hearing aid, but it has never hindered his ability to succeed.[1] He is a role model to young aspiring pool players. His trademark is that he exudes confidence whenever he is in competition. Van Boening's eyes are clear, and he has no alcohol, tobacco, or substance abuse addictions, unlike the stereotypical image projected of pool players in the 20th century. Van Boening, in fact, is a new breed and offers hope to many young players who have the desire, passion for the game, and the right capabilities to succeed in pocket billiard disciplines. [2]

[edit] Professional career

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When Van Boening was a mere year and a half old, he watched his grandfather play pool and took a liking to the multi-colored balls on the emerald green felt. His family has a strong pocket billiards background. His grandfather, Gary Bloomberg, was a trick-shot artist; his grandmother, Jeanne Bloomberg, a VNEA national champion; his mother, Timi Bloomberg, a BCA national champion; and his aunt, Gari Jo Bloomberg, a three-time VNEA national champion.

Van Boening defeated Hungarian Vilmos Foldes at the International Pool Tour qualifier in 2006, and was one of several players to earn a bonus of US$5,000 for breaking and running six consecutive racks in tournament play. Shane was one of only 10 players to earn their IPT tour card by finishing in the top two spots of one of five qualifiers. Shane won the second stop held at the Pool Room in Altanta, Georgia.[3]

Ranked number one in the world by AZBilliards.com, Van Boening is now a bona fide celebrity in the pool world. When he is not competing professionally, he can be found practicing in downtown Sioux Falls at Lucky Billiards, where he is the house pro and co-owner.[4]

Wiry and wise beyond his years,[neutrality disputed] Van Boening, a three-time VNEA national eight-ball champion,[5] has advanced from a young prodigy to a champion-caliber player.[6]

In 2007, he made it to the final of the BCA Open Nine-ball Championship but lost to Dennis Orcollo.[7] Days later, he dominated the inaugural World Ten-ball Championship[8][9] to become the first-ever world champion in that discipline of pool.

Shane has been declared as the next-in-line and heir-apparent to the throne of being the best pool player in the US by Inside POOL Magazine.[10][clarify]

The last decade in pool had witnessed a strong Filipino dominance, but the 21st century has brought forth a new era. Young 23-year-old Van Boening has been heralded as being the "new sheriff in town"[cite this quote] on the tournament trail. The American captured the hot seat in the World Summit of Pool in June 16, 2007, giving 2004 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Champion Alex "the Lion" Pagulayan an 11–4 thrashing. There were four players left standing in the quarter-finals of the double-elimination event, three Filipinos on the B side of the charts and one American in the hot seat, American Shane Van Boening.[11] The last day, all matches were shortened races to 7 because they were being recorded by ESPN. Alex Pagulayan plowed through Francisco Bustamante and Warren Kiamco and faced Van Boening in what was a thrilling final match. He surged forward 4 to 1, but Shane maintained his composure and never gave up, tying the score, 5-5. Veteran Pagulayan won the next two games to claim the victory, 7 to 5.[12][13]

The Billiards Congress of America Pool League owner Mark Griffin recognized his talent and decided in 2007 to sponsor him as he advances his professional career. [14]

Shane Van Boening is a very confident and stylish pool player.[15]

On October 20, 2007, Shane Van Boening won the 2007 (32nd annual) US Open Nine-ball Championship, defeating Filipino Champion Ronnie Alcano in the finals, 13–10. Van Boening remained undefeated in the double-elimination format of the championship, held in Chesapeake, Virginia.

At the Reno Open Nine-ball Championship, held on December 9, 2007, Van Boening and Johnny Archer were in the double-elimination finals. Archer was up to that point undefeated, and Van Boening had to beat Archer twice; Van Boening won the first set, and 83 minutes later, claimed the championship.[16]

As a capstone to his record year, for 2007 he was declared the male Player of the Year by all three of the major pool publications, Billiards Digest[17], Pool & Billiard Magazine,[18] and InsidePOOL Magazine[19] (in each case with Allison Fisher as his female co-recipient of the honor), and also ranked #11 in the P&B "Fans' Top 20 Favorite Players" poll for that year.[20]

[edit] Titles and achievements

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  • 2007 Reno Open 9-Ball Championship
  • 2007 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
  • 2007 Predator World Ten-ball Championship, Jacksonville, Florida
  • 2007 Inside POOL Magazine Player of the Year
  • 2007 Billiards Digest Player of the Year (male)
  • 2007 Pool & Billiard Magazine Player of the Year (male)
  • 2007 Pool & Billiard Magazine Fans' Top 20 Favorite Players, #11

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Shark in Pool", by Tony Burns, Keloland TV, June 21, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007
  2. ^ The Rapid City Weekly News, Straight Shooter, November 16, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  3. ^ InternationalPoolTour.com, "Hill-Hill Battle goes to Van Boening," by Sally Timko, January 29, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  4. ^ ArgusLeader.com, "S.D.'s Next Super Star?", by Matt Zimmer, June 12, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  5. ^ "Strong Contenders and Up-and-Comers", Billiards Digest, August 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2007
  6. ^ Pool Tricks, BrightCove.com, March 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007
  7. ^ BCA Open 9-Ball ChampionshipBCA-Pool.com, Men's Division. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  8. ^ Van Boening Wins World Ten-ball Championship, AzBilliards.com, May 27, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  9. ^ Van Boening Wins World Ten-ball Championship, Pool and Billiards Magazine, June 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007
  10. ^ Shane Van Boening, Inside POOL Magazine, June 2007. Retrieved June, 16, 2007
  11. ^ Billiard Factory World Summit Day 3: USA Counts on Van Boening AgainAzBilliards.com, June 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007
  12. ^ "Lion Wins World Summit of Pool", AzBilliards.com, June 16, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2007
  13. ^ Shane Van Boening vs. Alex Pagulayan Live Update, TheActionReport.com. Retrieved June 18, 2007
  14. ^ AzBilliards.com, Press Release, June 10, 2007, BCA Pool League Sponsors Shane Van Boening. Retrieved June 12, 2007
  15. ^ Shane Van Boening image gallery at InsidePOOLmag.com Shane Van Boening image gallery at InsidePOOLmag.com
  16. ^ Shane Wins, http://otbntv.com. Retrieved December 11, 2007
  17. ^ King, Mason (February 2008). "The Quiet Man". Billiards Digest 30 (3): pp. 48–53. Chicago, Illinois: Luby Publishing. ISSN 0164-761X. 
  18. ^ Shank, Dale (February 2008). "Shane Van Boening: 2007 'Player of the Year'". Pool & Billiard Magazine 26 (2): pp. 21–23 14. Summerville, South Carolina: Sports Publications. ISSN 1049-2852. 
  19. ^ Loria, Keith (February 2008). "InsidePOOL's 2007 Male Professional Player of the Year: Shane Van Boening". InsidePOOL Magazine VIII (2): pp. 26–27. Kittanning, Pennsylvania: Spheragon Publishing. ISSN 1547-3511. 
  20. ^ "The Survey Says...: Pool & Billiard Magazine's 22nd Annual Player and Fan Poll" (February 2008) 26 (2): p. 14. 
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