We are just a few weeks away from the 41st Annual NC State Foosball Championships. It appears we are going to have an outstanding turnout as players compete for over $2,500.00 in cash and prizes, but more importantly, they will be competing to have their names added to the banners that are displayed annually at this event. The banners hold the names of all the major event winners since 1974 when the NC State Foosball Championships was first held at Choosies Mothers Foosball Parlor in Greensboro, NC, making it the nation’s longest running state foosball championship. Our tournament site, BreakTime Billiards, have been gracious for the past 12 years providing us with a great tournament room and food/beverage service. Once again, we are supporting The Brigade Boys and Girls Club in Wilmington, NC. To date, we have raised over $50,000.00 in donations and provided 8 new foosball tables in the process. The newest table, courtesy of Warrior Table-Soccer, will be placed at Brigades new satellite location in the Hillcrest neighborhood.
There will be a strong contingent of players from the AQBB attending this event which will add to the excitement. Their support over the years has been astounding and we hope to draw a few first-timers this year also. Our local player groups and clubs are applying their finishing touches to 2 events for the remaining calendar year. The Powerkick Team, out of Raleigh, NC, will be hosting an event on November 6th and 7th, followed by the Piedmont Bonzini Foosball Club hosting an event December 4th and 5th. Stay tuned for more information on those events.
The Player of the Year and the Bonzini U.S.A. Excellence Award will be given away at this event, as well as recognition to the players that have achieved the newly created “Nardoci Cup” award. These are the players that have been able to hold the State Championship title in both Doubles and Singles in the same year which is quite an achievement.
For first time attendees, you can expect a fun filled weekend of foosball tournament action, tips from the experts, assistance from participants and staff. Our players know first and foremost that the event is being held to support the Brigade Boys and Girls Club and that sportsmanship is encouraged over gamesmanship. You will see a group of players that have taken ownership and responsibility to grow the game for future generations. I am extremely proud of our players and sponsors for coming together for this event, festival, celebration, and heritage of our game call foosball.
Bonzini Excellence Award Winners- These individuals were recognized for their valuable work and contribution in establishing a foundation for the game of foosball that reflects the values and respect we have for our sport and mission.
2000 Chad Meadows
2001 Dave Pelny
2002 Rick Paxton
2003 Tyler Tornello
2004 Powerkick Team
2005 Gerard & Veronique Bergaglia, Bonzini France
2006 Jimmy Little
2007 Steve Hebert
2008 Gloria Hiatt-Cribbs
2009 Bobby Brown (Robert O. Brown, Jr.)
2010 Jim Corbett
2011 Bobby Yates
2012 Larry Caulder
2013 Southland Amusements and Vending, Inc.
2014 J.R. Cox and Billy Atkisson
Player of the Year- These players were recognized for their professionalism and talent growth during that year of play.
2003 Jimmy Little
2004 Bruce Nardoci
2005 Tim "Fuji" Alberts
2006 Rick Owens
2007 Jim Parris
2008 Marc Gilbert
2009 Laurent Paquin-Marcotte
2010 Robert Yates, Jr.
2011 Jim Corbett
2012 Rebecca Terry
2013 Robert Yates, Jr.
2014 Tom Wayne Heath
Nardoci Cup- These players were recognized for holding the Open Doubles and Open Singles title in the same calendar year. You will notice that players were allowed to share the Open Singles title with their Open Doubles partner in the same calendar year.
1974 Bruce Nardoci
1979 Bruce Nardoci
1980 Kevin Lashmit
1982 Bruce Nardoci/Alan Cribbs
1983 Bruce Nardoci/Alan Cribbs
1984 Bruce Nardoci
!986 Kevin Lashmit
1988 Alan Cribbs
1989 Bruce Nardoci
2005 Bruce Nardoci/Rick Owens
2007 Bruce Nardoci/ Rick Owens
2010 Bruce Nardoci
2014 Laurent Paquin-Marcotte
BreakTime Billiards
If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to give me a call at the offices of Bonzini U.S.A. Ask for Alan.
336-325-3183