Challenge the Stars Moves to May!
Billiard pros take o­n challengers to raise money for educational scholarships
 

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) announces that its annual fundraiser, Challenge the Stars, will be held o­n May 18, 2004, in the Grande Ballroom of the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Immediately following the Parade of Champions at the 2004 BCA National 8-Ball Championships, over 9,000 billiard fans and numerous pros will have the opportunity to come together for a night of 9-Ball challenges, trick shot demonstrations and fundraising.

BEF Board of Trustees President Tom Riccobene said, "The BCA National 8-Ball Championships is a great venue for Challenge the Stars; we have thousands of billiard players and fans, as well as the top-64 men and top-64 women professional players in the world, all at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. We expect to have a great night and raise a significant amount of money for our Academic Scholarship Program and other junior billiard projects."

BCA President Skip Nemecek noted, "a whole new group of people will now be able to enjoy and participate in Challenge the Stars. For a small donation, a person can play against the very best in the world. It's a o­nce-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to know some of your favorite players."

In previous years, Challenge the Stars was held as the kick-off celebration of the BCA International Trade Expo.

Challenge the Stars raises funds for the BEF Academic Scholarship Program and other junior billiard projects by pairing up BCA Hall of Fame members and professional players with amateurs who love the game of 9-Ball. "Stars" such as Johnny Archer, Karen Corr, Allison Fisher, Buddy Hall, Loree Jon Jones, Julie Kelly, Jeanette Lee, Megan Minerich, Jim Rempe, Mike Sigel and many more will be invited to participate in this spectacular event.

The 2004 BCA National 8-Ball Championships will take place May 14-22, while the BCA Open 9-Ball Championships will run concurrently, May 16-22, also in the Riviera Hotel & Casino. Over 9,000 billiard players and spectators attend these two events and will provide a large audience for this celebrity fundraiser.

For additional information o­n this event, or to find out how you can volunteer to help, please visit www.bca-pool.com.

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The purpose of the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is to further a standard of excellence and leadership within the billiard community by engaging in activities related to the educational and cultural advancement of tomorrow's leaders. The BEF is the charitable organization of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA). The BCA is a national non-profit trade organization, dedicated to providing its members with exceptional value by promoting and growing cue sports worldwide. The BCA supports its membership with educational programs, trade expos, tournaments and other programs designed to make pool everybody's game.  For more information, please visit www.bca-pool.com. 

Media Contact:

Carrie Benson

carrie-benson@bca-pool.com

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