Ralph Allen has been nominated for induction into the Valley National 8-Ball Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies will take place on Monday, May 26th in Las Vegas at the V.N.E.A. 17th Annual International Championships.

Ralph has been playing pool for over 60 years. His wife Rose and four children, Dave, Paula, Linda & Tim have been active in Valley Leagues for many years. In fact, his family has prepared the meal for the Sioux Falls year-end banquet many times. He has been a V.N.E.A. member since it began. He also has been a league president for nine years and team captain for 14 years. Ralph has placed & won many local tournaments throughout the years. Three tournament moments, however, stand out. Ralph was a member of the team that captured the V.N.E.A. National Championship in Reno in 1982. Other members of the team included Ken Barnhart, Dave Allen, Rich Reuwsaat and Mike Dreyer. The following year his team placed third in Milwaukee at the national championships. The other moment was winning the 1996 S.D. State team championship with teammates Rich Ochs, Bob Monlux, Dave Hemmah & Dan Hein. He has played in the V.N.E.A. international championships 14 times, placing several other times than the ones mentioned. Music Service would like to congratulate Ralph on this very prestigious honor and thank him for all of his efforts in promoting Music Service leagues throughout the years.

It has been a long journey for him to reach this point. Pool has been an integral part of Barn's life as he has been playing the game for 48 years. He has served as league president and captain of his teams, many of which won league titles. In addition, he was very instrumental in getting leagues started in this area over 20 years ago. That work and dedication led to the awards he received recently.

Barn was the only member inducted into the South Dakota Pool Hall of Fame this year. He was honored during a break in the action at the S.D. state 8-ball tournament played at Sioux Falls in March 2002. Barnie was caught off guard as he didn't know he was going to be the inductee. It turned out to be a very nice surprise when they called out his name.

He was also one of five people that were put into the Valley National Eight ball Association Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on Memorial Day during the 22nd annual VNEA International Championships at Las Vegas. Criteria to get into the VNEA Hall of Fame was based on sportsmanship, participation and promotion of pool along with various accomplishments in local, state, regional and international competitions.

During the time between the two Hall of Fame ceremonies, the regular league season was wrapping up and he was in the running for high points in the S.F. men's A-1 league. It came down to the very last night, but the ole-timer could only get enough balls to end up in a three-way tie with Dan Hein and Dave Jennings, a pair of guys that Barn refers to as "young hot-dogs".

He was also fortunate to be part of the winning team in the men's division of the 23rd annual Great Plains team pool tournament. Earning one of those coveted championship jackets is a goal for all pool players around here and he was thrilled to finally get one. It was the first time he had won this event after finishing in the runner-up spot five times.

Tournament competition has been a huge part of Barnie's pool career. He has won numerous local championships and captured the S.D. state open A team title in 1999. He has followed that up with a pair of third place finishes in 2000 and 2001 and ended up fourth place this year. In 1982, at the 2nd annual VNEA Championships in Reno, Nevada Barnhart's team finished atop the leader board marking his most memorable moment. His team then came in a respectable third place the following year in Milwaukee, Wis.

Music Service appreciates all that Barn has done to help pool prosper in this area. The growth of the leagues and tournaments is a direct result of the time and effort that Barn and a few others put forth to set the foundation in the early years. Barnie is well known in the area and throughout the state and will continue to be a friend of pool as each league season comes and goes.

Don, or "Tanner" as he is known in the pool circles, is very well known and respected among all players in South Dakota. His promotion of, and dedication to this game stands out along with his skill and camaraderie among his peers. Although very competitive, Don has always been gracious in victory and the first to congratulate you when you have been fortunate to beat him. All in all, Don is a very well rounded person who is easy to be around and enjoys people in general. Congratulations, "Tanner", for being inducted into the V.N.E.A. Hall of Fame.