BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) was established in 1948, with early involvement by players like Willie Mosconi and Willie Hoppe. The objective was to organize the players and promote the sport through qualifying tournaments at the local, regional and national levels in Straight Pool and 3-Cushion billiards (the popular competitive disciplines of the era) and recognize those champions. Organizers were also determined to produce an official rulebook to standardize the sport and help fund the effort; and to involve billiard rooms, retailers and manufacturers in meeting these promotional goals.

During World War II, a great number of soldiers took up billiards at military camps and the industry expected a tremendous surge in peacetime popularity for the sport. But instead, soldiers generally returned home, got married, started families and built a suburban life. Despite the best efforts of the many constituents of the BCA, the sport fell into a depression in the late 1940s and the entire 1950s. Throughout this period, the association was anchored by its official rulebook and the official recognition of World and National Championships only through BCA sanctioning. In 1961 the movie "The Hustler" was released and single-handedly revived the sport for a few years. The BCA began promoting the US Open 14.1 Championships in 1966, the most prestigious professional event of its time.

From 1948 to 1980, the BCA had a board of directors and elected officers, but no physical headquarters. The National Sporting Goods Association kept the files of the BCA, and handled day-to-day administration. In 1980, long-time US Open director Robert Froeschle volunteered to set up a permanent BCA office in his hometown of Iowa City, Iowa. The BCA called Iowa City its home for many years, moving to bigger office space as the organization grew.

In 1982, the BCA board of directors decided to develop and host an industry trade show, at which all segments of the sport could meet. Today the BCA International Billiards & Home Recreation Expo is the largest billiard trade show in the world. Profits from the show, along with retail sales of "Billiards: The Official Rules & Records Book" generate substantial operating revenues, which allow the BCA to promote the sport at many different levels.