Pool: It’s not too cool for school

A handful of cue-wielding teenagers gather around two pool tables at a Pool Sharks, sharing jokes and cigarettes as they talk about anything that doesn't have to do with school.

As soon as the table is emptied, they pump in three more quarters to release the balls, one of them breaks, and another game is on.

The scene involving high school students isn't unusual. Playing pool is an after-school ritual all over town.

Starting this week, that same ritual will take place on local school campuses -- minus the cigarettes.

Public school officials plan to install donated pool tables on a handful of campuses for education, competition and recreation.

"It's better than being on the streets and getting in trouble," said Jose Castro, 18, on Monday night as he shot pool with some friends at the Pool Sharks on Decatur Boulevard south of Spring Mountain Road.

Castro, a senior at Clark High School, admitted he and his friends used to skip school to go play pool at the local pool rooms. He was introduced to the game by friends and plays several times a week.

"I like playing pool; it really relaxes me," Castro said. "I'm just thinking about right here. I'm not out there worrying about what will happen."

People under 21 are not allowed in most Las Vegas poolrooms, which serve alcohol. However, some -- like Pool Sharks, Mickey's Cues & Brews on South Eastern Avenue and the Las Vegas Cue Club on Sahara Avenue -- do allow young people in specific areas, separate from where alcohol is served.

These poolrooms are often packed with teens playing pool or arcade games, listening to music or just hanging out, Castro said, adding that promoting the already-popular game in the high schools is appealing.

"It would be fun to travel to the other schools and make a name for our school," said Hugo Lopez, 17, a junior at Clark High. "I could get credit for high school, too."

Programs promoting pool in high schools already exist in other parts of the country. Those who are fans of the game have been working to start similar programs in Southern Nevada.

The Academic Billiards Collective, founded by teacher Brad Combs, is a new local program that promotes pool among students.

"We're longing for an after-school program that we can target at-risk kids," said Combs, who teaches art and photography at the Indian Springs schools. "And with all the budget cuts going on, we're looking for programs that will generate money for the schools."

The billiards group plans to help organize school pool programs, as well as competition among the schools.

The money raised through ticket and concession sales at matches, as well as through endorsements, contributions from casinos and student fees, will cover any maintenance or other costs, Combs said. The rest of the money will go toward the schools to be used at their discretion.

In addition to competition, the pool tables can be used to teach geometry and physics, and promote students' talents, Combs said.

The tables were donated by local restaurant owners Eddie Thomas and Cameron Clinton. They purchased a former nightclub, and the 10 pool tables were included. Not wanting them for their establishment, they decided to donate them.

"Anytime you can get the equipment donated, that's a huge step," said John Kutcher, a professional pool player and the owner of Pool Sharks.

Kutcher acted as a middleman to get the pool tables from Thomas and Clinton to Combs and the schools. His connections with the pool industry helped get the Academic Billiards Collective started.

"We'd like to see as many kids as possible get involved," Kutcher said. "There's not that many things for kids to do in Las Vegas. So this can give kids a place to go where they can be supervised, where they can compete and have a good time doing it."

Kutcher is aware that the words "pool hall" sometimes carry negative connotations.

"Pool doesn't have the best reputation," he said. "Too many stories get put out about the hustlers and not enough stories about the people who have really done something good with the sport."

Indian Spring, Canyon Springs and Chaparral high schools, as well as Chapman and Faiss middle schools have all agreed to install the donated tables, with several other schools still considering the proposal.

Officials from each school will decide how many tables they want, how many they have room for, where to place them and how they'll be used. Maintenance will be paid for by fundraisers, revenues from tournaments or donations. The tables will be installed as soon as the schools are ready for them, and at no cost to them.

The official start of the school competitions will be at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.

"I think this is great," Kutcher said. "You try and give something back whenever you can. This has definitely been a big boost for us, and we've turned the corner to getting pool back into the mainstream and giving it a good reputation."

Contact reporter Scott Spjut at sspjut@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0279.