2009 BEF Junior Nationals & ACUI Collegiate 9-Ball Championships Head to Illinois State University – Young Billiard Stars Take Aim!

The most prestigious junior and collegiate pool tournaments in North America, the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF)  21st Annual Junior Nationals and the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate 9-Ball Championships, will be held at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.  The Bone Student Center (BSC) will host this event July 21-26.  ACUI competition will be held July 21-23, while the junior event will commence Thursday, July 23 and continue through Sunday, July 26.

The BSC Bowling and Billiards Center features 15 professional size Brunswick pool tables and will be the stage to an expected 170 young athletes competing for academic scholarships, prizes, and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior Championships.

Juniors will travel from over 25 different states to compete in this year's event, and over 25 colleges will be represented by billiard athletes. Junior contestants earned their right to participate by winning a BEF recognized qualifier or were nominated through their local junior pool league.  Collegiate players were invited to participate through their success at an ACUI regional tournament.

Additional festivities include an exciting trick shot exhibition with World Champion, Tom “Dr Cue” Rossman, on Thursday evening at 8:15 pm. Also, Bloomington/Normal's own local billiard favorite and Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) touring pro, Sarah Rousey, will be the guest speaker at the banquet and will be available for challenge matches during the event. Offering billiard clinics on Saturday afternoon will be Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Master Billiard Instructor, Jerry Briesath.

For more information about BSC Bowling and Billiards Center and event admission, call (309)438-2555.

The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization committed to furthering the standard of excellence and leadership within the billiard community by engaging in activities related to the education and cultural advancement of tomorrow's leaders. For more information, visit www.BilliardEducation.org or contact Laura Smith at 303.926.1039 or info@BilliardEducation.org.

The Association of College Unions International supports its members in the development of community through education, advocacy, and the delivery of services. For more information, visit www.acui.org.