Broomfield, Colo. – December 23, 2008 – Each year the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President's Award. This year the BCA has chosen to recognize Fran Crimi, BCA Instructor Program administrator and BCA senior delegate to the World-Pool Billiard Association (WPA).
Crimi, a former pro player and previous president of the Women's Professional Billiards Association, is responsible for the oversight and management of the BCA Instructor Program. Crimi works closely with each instructor to ensure that his or her certification is maintained on a yearly basis. She has worked to make the BCA a place where instructors can go for advice and to obtain their credentials, as well as a resource where players can turn when they are looking for a legitimate and qualified instructor. In fact, Crimi herself is a BCA Master Instructor, which is the highest level of certification that can be obtained in the program.
In her role as a BCA senior delegate to the WPA, Crimi works closely with the BCA's WPA Committee to provide input back to the WPA on various issues, including the player selection process for international events, rules and specifications issues, potential scenarios for hosting international events in North America and other timely topics paramount to the sport and industry. In this capacity, she also represents the BCA at all WPA Board of Directors meetings and at the bi-annual General Assembly.
Crimi recently played a significant role in the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and WPA World 9-Ball Championships for Wheelchair Players hosted in Reno, Nev., the first week of December. Crimi, in partnership with the United States Pool Players Association, was responsible for several logistical items related to both events, including booking player travel and accommodations, management of tournament brackets, securing event sponsorships and player awards distribution.
“Fran's dedication of time, talent and resources to the BCA, her willingness to work cooperatively and her personal commitment to the betterment of the billiard industry make her the obvious choice for this award,” said Ivan Lee, chairman of the BCA Board of Directors. “Fran is a highly-respected and well-known member of the billiard community. Her experience as the former head of the WPBA and as a BCA Master Instructor make her the ideal liaison to the WPA and manager of the BCA Instructor Program. Fran was chosen for both of these roles because of her litany of credentials and strong work ethic. She is truly an integral member of the BCA team.”
