Dave Daya

• Post by: mcalibrary
• December 18, 2023
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SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dave Daya is representative of the kinds of men to have elevated pool from the smoke-filled rooms of pool halls to the ballrooms of the large hotels in Las Vegas.

Dave got his start in pool at what is now called Academy Sports Center. At that itme, it was clled the “Greek’s”, and his father was the pool manager. By hanging around the tables, he developeda nice relationship with Ed Murray, who took an interest in him, and taight him some of the fine points of the game. He began to improve to the point where he began entering local tournaments. At age 14, he won his first trophy. Since there were few tournaments on a local basis, his need for competition was not being met. But a meeting with Tom Monaski, the organizer of the Pennsylvania State Pool Championships, encouraged him to enter the State pool championship. He placed ninth in his first 9-ball championships, and that taste of victory got him eager for more.

He began playing tournaments in New York, Ohio and even Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, he placed fifth in a tournament against World Class 9-Ball players. He also won tournaments in Williamsport and York, and became recognized as Pennsylvania’s outstanding 9-Ball player. At that time, he was invited to play an exhibition against Allen Hopkins, the current World 9-Ball champion in Atlantic City.

In 1987, he won the New York State 9-Ball championship and is mentioned notably in the bible of pool, “Pool and Billiards” magazine. He continues to compete nationally- an outstanding champion.