In part two of our four-part series with BCA Hall of Famer LoreeJon Ogonowski-Brown, we journey back to the early 1980s, when a 15-year-old prodigy from New Jersey stunned the billiards world by capturing the World Straight Pool Championship. That historic win not only earned her a Guinness World Record as the youngest world champion in the sport’s history but also set the stage for an extraordinary career that continues to inspire players today.

LoreeJon reflects on the whirlwind of attention that followed—television appearances on shows like That’s Incredible and Big Blue Marble, magazine features, and a flood of opportunities that transformed her from a local phenom into a household name in the world of cue sports. She also shares the deep bond she had with her father, whose guidance and belief fueled her early success, and how his encouragement helped shape her competitive mindset.

The conversation moves from her teenage triumphs to the challenges of sustaining greatness, including her rivalry with legendary Jean Balukas and her unforgettable nine-ball world championship victory at just 19. Along the way, LoreeJon offers candid insight into the mental side of the game—how focus, nerves, and even her self-described “squirrel moments” have influenced her journey on and off the table.

Listeners will also hear touching stories of resilience and inspiration, including how her husband Terry helped her rediscover joy in competition, and how her presence at tournaments continues to impact fans in powerful, unexpected ways.

From the discipline of straight pool to the evolving equipment and style of today’s game, LoreeJon offers a rare perspective on how eras of play compare—and what the future holds for the sport’s rising stars.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this debut episode of our four-part conversation with pool legend LoreeJon Ogonowski-Brown, we go back to the very beginning of a remarkable journey in billiards. A World Pool-Billiard Association Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most decorated players in women’s pool, LoreeJon opens up about her early life, her family’s influence, and how a cue stick in her tiny hands set her on the path to greatness.

From her childhood home in Garwood, New Jersey—where a full-sized Gandy table dominated the basement—to her father’s mentorship and clever ingenuity (building wooden boxes so his young daughter could reach the table), LoreeJon shares how she developed flawless mechanics at an age when most kids were still playing with toys. By seven, she was performing trick shot exhibitions in front of Minnesota Fats, and at eleven, she captured her first major title, foreshadowing the extraordinary career to come.

Listeners will hear the stories behind her “Queen of the Hill” nickname and how resilience became her trademark. LoreeJon recalls the sting of early dismissals—like being told to “go back to Barbies” by a world champion—and how those words fueled her determination to prove doubters wrong. Alongside anecdotes of growing up around legends like Allen Hopkins, Steve Mizerak, and Ray Martin, LoreeJon reflects on her parents’ sacrifices, her mother’s quiet strength, and the unique challenges of being a young girl in a male-dominated game.

This episode paints a vivid portrait of LoreeJon’s formative years—equal parts grit, humor, and heart—and sets the stage for the rest of her inspiring story.

Join us as we step into the world of one of pool’s true pioneers, whose love of the game and indomitable spirit made her a champion long before the trophies ever came.

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Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this fourth and final installment of our exclusive Legends of the Cue series with Hall of Fame icon Nick Varner, we bring his extraordinary journey full circle. From the heights of world titles to the challenges of sustaining a career in a sport often overshadowed, Nick’s story is equal parts grit, passion, and perseverance.

Nick revisits his late-career triumphs, including capturing his second WPA World Nine Ball Championship at the age of 51 and going undefeated to claim the 2000 World One Pocket Championship. Alongside host Mike Gonzalez and co-host Mark Wilson, he reflects on how pool’s professional landscape changed when Camel withdrew its sponsorship, leaving players scrambling for new ways to make a living. For Nick, the answer was entrepreneurship—launching his own line of cues that became a successful business built the old-fashioned way: with handshakes, relationships, and relentless hustle.

The conversation also turns deeply personal as Nick shares how his wife, Tony, was by his side for nearly every match of his professional career, serving as both supporter and coach. He opens up about the shots he wishes he could have back, including a heartbreaking loss to Earl Strickland, and how he’d approach the game differently if starting over today.

Closing with reflections on legacy, Nick emphasizes resilience, composure, and the joy of giving back to the sport that defined his life. Mark and Mike underscore what makes Varner unique: a tireless worker, a consummate sportsman, and a man who never quit on himself—or the game.

This episode not only caps a four-part deep dive into one of pool’s greatest champions, it preserves the voice of a legend whose story continues to inspire players and fans alike.

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Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In Part 3 of our four-part conversation with BCA Hall of Famer Nick Varner, we dive into the rich details of his legendary career, exploring the transitions, rivalries, and defining moments that shaped one of the greatest champions in cue sports history.

Nick reflects on his early love for straight pool—a game of patterns, precision, and deep strategy—and how it contrasted with the faster, high-pressure rise of nine ball. He shares fascinating insights into the mental shift required to thrive when the sport’s focus moved from methodical runs to the unpredictability of nine ball, a game he ultimately dominated for decades.

We revisit Nick’s experiences in the Mosconi Cup, where team dynamics, momentum swings, and raw pressure created some of the most intense environments of his career. With anecdotes about teammates like Jimmy Rempe and Mike Sigel, and his unique perspective as both player and coach, Nick sheds light on what it really takes to succeed in the crucible of international team play.

The conversation also explores the evolution of the American pool scene—shrinking pool halls, the rise of bar tables, and the European and Asian dominance fueled by training systems and commitment to the nine-foot game. Nick’s stories about practicing pattern play in college, learning from legends like Ray Martin, and his observations on players like Steve Mizerak highlight the generational shifts within the sport.

Finally, Nick shares his enduring connection to bank pool, a discipline that sharpened his precision and kept his competitive edge razor sharp. From world championships to bubble gum stories with Mizerak, this episode captures Nick Varner at his most candid—revealing not only his unmatched accomplishments but also his thoughtful love for the game.

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Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In Part 2 of our four-part conversation with Billiard Congress of America Hall of Famer Nick Varner, we dive deep into the years when his career shifted into high gear — and he began carving out one of the most remarkable résumés in cue sports history.

Nick takes us ringside to legendary match-ups with Minnesota Fats, Hubert “Daddy Warbucks” Cokes, and other colorful characters, sharing the high-stakes gambling culture, sharp banter, and the psychology of playing for your own money. We hear how a divorce, a ranking system, and the release of The Color of Money combined to push him into full-time pool — and how his game transformed when he dedicated eight to ten hours a day to practice.

From his breakthrough at the 1980 World Straight Pool Championship, where he dominated the field and toppled Mike Sigel in the finals, to his unforgettable 1986 title run featuring one of the greatest shots of his career, Nick recounts the pressure of defending a world title and the mindset needed to close out big matches.

We also relive his electric televised victory at the 1982 ABC Wide World of Sports PPPA World Championship, with Howard Cosell in the booth, and fast-forward to his astonishing 1989 season — 11 wins in 22 elite events — a feat still unmatched in the modern era. Along the way, Nick reveals moments of vulnerability, like the time he famously whiffed on a break against Dallas West, and how he turned that embarrassment into laughter, composure, and victory.

It’s a rare inside look at the grit, confidence, and mental toughness that made Nick Varner one of the greatest champions the game has ever seen.

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Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this first installment of our four-part conversation with Hall of Fame legend Nick Varner, we trace his remarkable journey from the dusty farmlands of southern Indiana to the glittering lights of pool’s biggest stages. Known as the winningest all-around player in American history, Varner holds world titles in eight-ball, nine-ball, ten-ball, straight pool, and one-pocket — a resume as versatile as it is unmatched.

Nick’s story begins with a childhood spent working the family farm, learning discipline behind the wheel of a tractor long before mastering a cue stick. A chance introduction to the game came when his father — a farmer turned small-town poolroom owner — set young Nick on a Coke crate to make his very first shot. From that moment, he was hooked.

We follow his early years honing his skills in local Indiana poolrooms, navigating the gambling-for-quarters culture of the time, and competing in the fiercely contested Purdue University campus tournaments. Along the way, Varner shares vivid memories of legendary players like Joe Balsis, Luther Lassiter, Jimmy Caras, and Irving Crane — names that shaped his competitive drive and his deep respect for the game’s traditions.

Nick also recounts his surprising detour into the PGA apprenticeship program, how golf nearly became his profession, and why he ultimately returned to the family business — running a poolroom, giving lessons, and hitting the road to perform exhibitions across the country.

With warmth, humor, and a trove of behind-the-scenes stories, Varner paints a portrait of an era when pool exhibitions packed ballrooms, reputations were made in short-rack races, and respect for one’s opponent was paramount. This is the foundation of a champion’s life — and just the beginning of an unforgettable four-part journey through one of the sport’s most storied careers.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this fifth and final installment of our Legends of the Cue deep-dive with co-host, former Mosconi Cup Captain and player, professional pool player, master teacher, and broadcaster Mark Wilson, we bring the conversation full circle — from the bright lights of international competition to the grassroots of the game he loves.

Mark takes us behind the curtain of his Mosconi Cup captaincy, sharing the challenges of managing world-class talent, the psychology of match play, and the small strategic edges — like the all-important lag — that can swing an entire event. With candid storytelling, he reveals the intense preparation, lineup decisions, and personal mentoring that went into shaping his teams, including guiding players like Shane Van Boening, Justin Bergman, and John Schmidt through the crucible of the Cup.

The discussion then shifts to Mark’s groundbreaking tenure at Lindenwood University, where he built one of the most disciplined, academically accomplished, and successful collegiate billiards programs in history. He explains how character, accountability, and camaraderie formed the core of his coaching philosophy, producing national champions and lifelong ambassadors for the sport.

We also explore U.S. Team Billiards, Mark’s ongoing “give back” initiative, where he continues to instill professionalism, etiquette, and technical excellence in players of all levels. From creative practice drills to fostering a family-like culture, Mark’s programs reflect his unwavering commitment to pool’s betterment.

With humor, humility, and heartfelt reflection, Mark shares lessons from decades at every level of the game — as a competitor, coach, mentor, and steward of billiards history. He closes with three revealing “final questions” on what he’d do differently, the one shot he’d like back, and how he hopes to be remembered.

It’s a fitting conclusion to a five-part journey through the life of a man who has dedicated himself to leaving the sport better than he found it.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this fourth episode of our special five-part series with Legends of the Cue co-host, former Mosconi Cup captain, accomplished professional player, master teacher, and broadcaster Mark Wilson, we journey through some of the most personal and defining chapters of his extraordinary life in pool.

Mark opens up about an unthinkable personal tragedy that nearly ended his career—and how a single spark of resolve set him on a path toward “relentless positivity” and a renewed purpose. We follow his return to the table, his life on the pro tour, and his travels to Hong Kong for one of the sport’s most prestigious events, where a career-defining win came with unexpected personal consequences.

The conversation then turns to the highs and lows of professional pool’s evolution—from the meteoric rise of the Camel Pro Billiards Series to the missed opportunities and missteps that left the sport struggling to sustain mainstream appeal. Mark’s candid reflections reveal a deep love for the game and frustration with decisions that shaped its modern era.

We also step into one of pool’s most electrifying stages—the inaugural Mosconi Cup in 1994—where Mark competed alongside legends such as Lou Butera against a European side featuring Steve Davis, Jimmy White, and a young Allison Fisher. With behind-the-scenes stories, colorful personalities, and heart-pounding match moments, Mark relives the intensity and camaraderie of those early Cups, including a memorable post-event invitation to train with Steve Davis at his home.

This episode blends personal resilience, candid history, and vivid storytelling—capturing why Mark Wilson’s journey is not just a career in pool, but a life shaped by the game.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”