Michael Stahl Jr has foosball blood in his veins. Here's proof as we present an interview recorded at the 2024 Great Lakes Classic in Lansing, Michigan with Michael and his Dad, Michael Stahl, Sr.
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[00:02:00] So you're expecting FoosTalk Live tonight.
[00:02:03] Well, I got a little bit of a change of plan for you.
[00:02:06] Hey there, I'm Tom Robinson.
[00:02:08] Tonight, we're going to be rebroadcasting an interview that took place at the Great Lakes Classic in Lansing, Michigan back in October.
[00:02:17] I believe October 13th was the day we recorded during the tournament.
[00:02:20] It's with Michael Stahl Jr. and Michael Stahl Sr.
[00:02:26] And we thought we'd put this out tonight because it's really kind of poignant around the holidays.
[00:02:32] You think about people, families that play foosball.
[00:02:36] Michael Stahl Jr., of course, was raised by his dad, who's also a foosball player.
[00:02:40] And so this interview you're going to hear tonight is pretty extraordinary when you think about the father-son relationship,
[00:02:49] but also the fact that Michael Stahl Jr. is really a driving force behind Foosball Clubs USA.
[00:02:57] And if you haven't made any donations to those guys, I highly recommend it.
[00:03:00] But it's really, Michael is doing so much extra hard work to make sure that kids get an opportunity to learn to play foosball in their school systems.
[00:03:10] And, of course, you want to find out more about that, go to foosballclubsusa.com, I should say.
[00:03:16] But, of course, you know, if we're going to talk about foosball, I think it's always best if we do that with someone who really loves to talk about the topic, Randy Raposo.
[00:03:26] Hello, Randy.
[00:03:28] Hey, Tom.
[00:03:29] How was your birthday, Tom?
[00:03:29] Oh, the birthday was good.
[00:03:31] You know, it was another trip around the sun, as they say.
[00:03:34] But I think that, well, part of the problem was the weather was really crappy.
[00:03:40] But my wife and I hung out together, and we just took in a movie on, I think it was Netflix or something, and just relaxed.
[00:03:50] And she got me some music because here's the weird thing about getting older.
[00:03:56] Maybe you can relate.
[00:03:59] But when you get to the ripe old age that I'm currently at, she'll ask me, so what do you want for your birthday?
[00:04:06] And I'll kind of go, socks?
[00:04:10] I don't know.
[00:04:12] So, now, my fallback always is music because I just, you know, I dig music, and I've got, you know, I've got a thousand vinyl records in my collection.
[00:04:22] And I've got a bunch of CDs and stuff.
[00:04:24] So, she'll ask me, you know, what I want, and I'll say, oh, here's kind of a list of records I wouldn't mind having.
[00:04:30] And so, she'll give me a few records, and that's always good.
[00:04:33] And I'm a huge coffee drinker, so she gets me my favorite coffee.
[00:04:37] So, but you know what?
[00:04:39] After all this time, it's, I mean, it's great.
[00:04:43] I have to say at this point that, you know, I know you're not a member of Facebook, but there are just so many people saying, you know, happy birthday.
[00:04:53] And they kind of come out of the woodwork when they do this, and it's like, wow, I had no idea that I knew that many people.
[00:04:59] But.
[00:05:00] No, it's nice.
[00:05:00] Yeah.
[00:05:01] It's always nice.
[00:05:02] It's nice when people remember.
[00:05:03] Yeah.
[00:05:04] So, if you're listening to this, and you're one of those people who wish me a happy birthday, hey, thanks so much.
[00:05:08] I really, really appreciate that.
[00:05:10] Of course, it's good to recognize that we're friends, and even if it's something like Facebook, we still try to keep up with each other's, you know, lives and stuff.
[00:05:20] So, very cool.
[00:05:21] But, yeah, thanks for asking.
[00:05:22] It was.
[00:05:23] Of course.
[00:05:24] Hopefully, there's another full year yet to go before that happens again.
[00:05:27] So, we'll see.
[00:05:28] Yeah.
[00:05:29] Hopefully.
[00:05:30] Goodness.
[00:05:30] Yeah.
[00:05:31] No, no, man.
[00:05:32] It's, yeah, this week was, it's been cold in Alabama.
[00:05:35] Has it?
[00:05:36] Okay.
[00:05:37] Oh, man.
[00:05:37] It's been in the 20s in the morning, and the cold here is different.
[00:05:41] Tom, it hurts, man.
[00:05:42] Like, my bones hurt.
[00:05:43] Yeah.
[00:05:43] It's not like it is back home.
[00:05:45] No kidding.
[00:05:45] It is a dry, I mean, it hurts.
[00:05:49] It's a dry cold.
[00:05:50] It really hurts.
[00:05:51] It cuts.
[00:05:52] So...
[00:05:53] And you did get home okay, obviously, from Louisiana State.
[00:06:00] Oh, yeah.
[00:06:00] I got home fine.
[00:06:01] I got home.
[00:06:04] Yeah.
[00:06:04] I took a shower, went to bed, got up the next day.
[00:06:08] Actually, I slept because I was sick.
[00:06:10] Remember?
[00:06:10] I don't know if you remember I was sick.
[00:06:11] Right.
[00:06:12] That's right.
[00:06:13] Yeah.
[00:06:14] So, dude, I slept till like 2.30.
[00:06:16] Ooh.
[00:06:16] And then got up and putted around, hung out with the dog, and then my wife got home, we
[00:06:22] ate dinner, took a shower, went back to bed, and then just got up Tuesday and just worked,
[00:06:28] worked, worked all week.
[00:06:30] It's just been, it's been a rough week and just trying to get back into the swing of things.
[00:06:35] Right.
[00:06:35] And, you know, obviously with the holidays coming up, just trying to get everything squared
[00:06:40] away for the end of the year.
[00:06:42] And that's it, Tom.
[00:06:44] Cool.
[00:06:44] Well, I mean, it's, I got to say, I really enjoyed, you know, talking about Louisiana State
[00:06:50] last weekend.
[00:06:51] And, of course, we did touch on some sensitive issues when it comes to the condition of the
[00:06:57] equipment currently that pro-level players are having to deal with.
[00:07:01] And I think there's an episode in that.
[00:07:03] I think we need to, we need to get a couple of people who are in the know when it comes to
[00:07:07] what's happening within, let's say, Valley Dynamo or the status of what's happening with
[00:07:12] those tables and really have a good long discussion about that.
[00:07:16] I think that was valuable to hear what you had to say.
[00:07:20] Well, I, you know, again, as a player, I just, it's just how I felt, especially after a week,
[00:07:30] a weekend and, you know, having issues.
[00:07:33] And I know I wasn't the only one.
[00:07:36] So, thankfully, you provided me with this platform and a space to air my grievances.
[00:07:42] So, I'm going to do that.
[00:07:44] And, you know, but again, I got to play foosball and I got to hang out with my friends and have
[00:07:50] a good time.
[00:07:50] So, I'm always thankful for that.
[00:07:52] And I don't know if anybody's checked the point today, but the points were updated today
[00:07:59] from, I believe, Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana.
[00:08:03] So, there have been some bumps, some changes.
[00:08:08] I know we're going to be doing maybe a recap before the end of the year, but I just wanted
[00:08:13] to do an early congrats to Jacob Balkos.
[00:08:16] He got bumped up to master.
[00:08:17] Oh, really?
[00:08:18] How cool is that?
[00:08:19] Yeah.
[00:08:19] Wow.
[00:08:20] Yeah.
[00:08:20] So, I mean, he's only won pro singles like 40 times.
[00:08:24] So, way to go, buddy.
[00:08:26] But, I mean, he had a big win last.
[00:08:27] I think this was his first open doubles, I think, if I remember correctly.
[00:08:32] But he won open doubles at Louisiana State.
[00:08:33] It's a big tournament.
[00:08:35] Nice.
[00:08:35] Nice.
[00:08:36] You know, kids, I think, I mean, three years ago, he was a beginner.
[00:08:40] Yeah.
[00:08:40] Yeah, right.
[00:08:41] It just goes.
[00:08:42] Oh, I mean, you think about, if you, if you.
[00:08:45] How is that even, you know, you think about how is that even possible, really?
[00:08:49] You know, to be a beginner three, four years ago, and then suddenly being pro master.
[00:08:55] I mean, that's, that's extraordinary.
[00:08:57] That's, and kudos.
[00:08:59] The kid, the kid's, yeah, the kid's good.
[00:09:01] He's dedicated.
[00:09:02] He puts a lot of time in.
[00:09:03] And obviously he's got, you know, his dad's very supportive.
[00:09:06] And so, you know, it's just, it's a mixture for, you know, it's, it's a mixture for that
[00:09:12] achievement.
[00:09:13] So, you know, kind of like Sam, I think if Sam hadn't taken a break, he'd probably, you
[00:09:19] know, probably be there already.
[00:09:21] Sure.
[00:09:21] But he's, he's, he's close as well.
[00:09:23] So, but, you know, congratulations to him.
[00:09:26] I know there's a few players that also got bombed.
[00:09:30] Check your points, people.
[00:09:31] Everybody, you know, points moved around today.
[00:09:33] So check your points, but, um, you know, the Great Lakes classic, uh, you know, I, I was
[00:09:40] there.
[00:09:40] It was a great tournament.
[00:09:41] Um, if you didn't, if you didn't make it, put it on your schedule for next year.
[00:09:45] Mike stalling his dad.
[00:09:47] Yeah.
[00:09:47] Um, I know they, uh, I think they won expert doubles at worlds a few years ago.
[00:09:52] Tough, tough team.
[00:09:53] Uh, Mike Michaels, uh, you know, doing a lot of work with, uh, foosball clubs USA and, uh,
[00:09:59] just loves foosball.
[00:10:00] So, uh, just a good dude, fun to talk to.
[00:10:03] Uh, I always have a good time with him.
[00:10:05] So, um, I hope everybody's excited for the interview tonight.
[00:10:09] It should be, it should be a good one.
[00:10:10] Yeah.
[00:10:10] So, and it's, and it is something that, that, uh, you know, it's possible you may have heard
[00:10:14] when the, when it happened live.
[00:10:16] But, um, I, I think it's, it's, uh, better if you just listen to it, but, uh, you'll,
[00:10:22] you'll be able to see it too tonight on, on Twitch TV.
[00:10:25] But, um, gotta say, uh, you know, kudos to, to, to you.
[00:10:30] And, uh, of course the, the, this, this process we're going through by the end of the year,
[00:10:35] we're gonna, we're gonna talk about what happened in, in 2024 and what to look back on.
[00:10:39] And then of course, we'll talk about what to look forward to in 2025, uh, coming up really
[00:10:44] soon.
[00:10:45] And we'll have a couple of special guests in for that too.
[00:10:48] Let's go.
[00:10:49] But, uh, thanks so, so much for tuning in as always.
[00:10:52] And, and the, our Patreon members, we're always so grateful for you guys.
[00:10:57] Um, you know, you Randy being a Patreon member, of course, we've got a whole litany of, uh,
[00:11:02] of people that have been sticking with us all this time.
[00:11:04] And we really appreciate that.
[00:11:05] And especially this time of the year, man, it feels good.
[00:11:08] So, but, uh, let's do this now.
[00:11:11] Let's, uh, let's, uh, sit back and relax and enjoy, uh, recorded on October 13th of 2024,
[00:11:18] the Great Lakes Classic.
[00:11:19] I present to you now, Foosball Radio on the Road with Michael Stahl, Jr. and Sr.
[00:11:25] The following is a presentation of Boosball Radio.
[00:11:34] Boosball Radio on the Road.
[00:11:42] Boosball Radio on the air, live again for the last time of the Great Lakes Classic 2024.
[00:11:49] Here we are, uh, just wrapping up a weekend that, uh, is one for the history books.
[00:11:57] This was, this was extraordinary.
[00:11:59] Uh, we had, uh, an amazing array of talented players and, uh, I believe this might've been
[00:12:07] a record number of attendees this year.
[00:12:09] Would that be true, Michael?
[00:12:10] You know, that is correct, Tom.
[00:12:12] Uh, we pulled in just over 200 players, which is a big deal, man.
[00:12:19] Yeah.
[00:12:20] Um, that's been a personal goal of mine for a number of years.
[00:12:25] This, this would be my fourth year running this tournament, organizing and, uh, also competing
[00:12:32] in it.
[00:12:33] So, you know, dude, it's been a heck of a ride, man.
[00:12:38] Mm-hmm.
[00:12:39] Everybody I've talked to so far, without question, uh, I've asked them specifically,
[00:12:44] so you're having fun this weekend?
[00:12:46] And it was immediate, yeah.
[00:12:48] And then I'd ask them, you coming back next year?
[00:12:51] Oh, yeah.
[00:12:53] Forget about it.
[00:12:54] Of course.
[00:12:54] No, it's, uh, I gotta ask you the question, man.
[00:12:58] Yeah.
[00:12:59] Sherwin-Pulowski.
[00:13:00] The future.
[00:13:02] Wow.
[00:13:03] Yeah, that kid's crazy.
[00:13:05] Wow.
[00:13:05] Crazy good.
[00:13:06] I mean, at Worlds, they walked away with seven, seven, uh, pieces of hardware.
[00:13:12] As a family unit, they did.
[00:13:14] Yep.
[00:13:15] Um, pretty impressive.
[00:13:16] So my goal here this weekend was to, A, number one, run a championship event that felt special.
[00:13:28] Yep.
[00:13:28] That, that was different.
[00:13:30] That was unique in its own right.
[00:13:33] And, uh, I, I think we accomplished that.
[00:13:36] My, my other biggest goal was to create an identity for this event that was heavily inspired by,
[00:13:47] you know, the investment in the youth of our country.
[00:13:52] Oh, yeah.
[00:13:52] Yeah.
[00:13:53] Oh, yeah.
[00:13:53] And the, you know, the inspiration behind that is the work that we're doing with foosball clubs.
[00:14:01] And really, this was a big benefit for foosball clubs, USA.
[00:14:04] Oh, no question.
[00:14:05] No question.
[00:14:05] You know, we, we did really well.
[00:14:07] And, um.
[00:14:08] Now I saw, I think over there by the, uh, the registration booth, there was a, a large check.
[00:14:14] Yeah.
[00:14:14] From Mary Moore.
[00:14:15] That's right.
[00:14:15] Give us an idea.
[00:14:16] How much was in that check?
[00:14:17] Yeah, I think it was what?
[00:14:18] 2,400 bucks.
[00:14:19] 2,400 dollars.
[00:14:20] Or something like that.
[00:14:21] Yep.
[00:14:21] And, you know, every year she donates.
[00:14:23] She runs a benefit tournament, a team cup event.
[00:14:27] Yeah.
[00:14:27] Um, which is special to me.
[00:14:30] You know, she's special to me.
[00:14:31] The work she puts in to help us is, is very special.
[00:14:35] Yep.
[00:14:35] And, uh, you know, there's, there's a lot of, there's a lot of great people supporting this effort, you know?
[00:14:43] And.
[00:14:44] Your crew is, your crew is stellar.
[00:14:46] You know, I, you know, it wasn't a single moment this weekend where it felt like, oh, this thing is off the rails or.
[00:14:52] Yeah.
[00:14:52] You know, it was just so well run.
[00:14:55] You know, I, I feel like it's a big testimony to.
[00:14:58] To.
[00:15:00] The love of the sport that these people have and their willingness to.
[00:15:06] Invest in.
[00:15:07] Not just me, but.
[00:15:09] The betterment and vision that I have for the future of football.
[00:15:14] Yep.
[00:15:14] You know, and that's special.
[00:15:17] That's really cool.
[00:15:17] So we're, uh, you can't see it on camera right now, but off to our, our, uh, stage left is a, uh, it's a plaque.
[00:15:28] It's a, it's an award.
[00:15:30] And it says IFP 14th annual $100,000 world championships of professional foosball tornado table soccer.
[00:15:37] Yep.
[00:15:37] Awarded to Michael Stahl promoter of the year.
[00:15:41] Yes, sir.
[00:15:42] Yes, sir.
[00:15:43] How's that feel?
[00:15:44] It's pretty great.
[00:15:46] Um, let's bring it over.
[00:15:47] We'll show it on camera.
[00:15:48] Yeah.
[00:15:48] So I brought it to the tournament and all of my heroes that I love and appreciate respect.
[00:15:54] And I don't know if you can see it, but.
[00:15:56] Check that out.
[00:15:57] I had everyone sign it.
[00:15:58] All the people that I felt were very special to me and.
[00:16:02] Yeah.
[00:16:02] You know, the progress and.
[00:16:04] That's.
[00:16:04] That's, uh.
[00:16:05] All the work that we've been putting in.
[00:16:06] It's not just me, man.
[00:16:07] It's, it's.
[00:16:09] I did that because I wanted in a way to, to share that with everyone.
[00:16:13] Yes.
[00:16:13] I want them.
[00:16:14] It's their name on it.
[00:16:16] Not just my name.
[00:16:17] Yep.
[00:16:17] That's why I did that because I, I see the value in partnership and in the value in, in
[00:16:25] a community of people coming together.
[00:16:28] Yep.
[00:16:28] Not just one effort, but us all working together.
[00:16:32] Yeah.
[00:16:33] It's a, obviously it's a team.
[00:16:35] It's a team effort.
[00:16:36] Like, like any good foosball team, you communicate, you, you, you pass, you shoot, you do the things.
[00:16:43] That's right.
[00:16:44] And you, you communicate the entire time.
[00:16:46] And of course, in a, in a situation like this, if you're not doing that, if you're not successfully
[00:16:51] passing and shooting and communicating the entire time, you don't win the match.
[00:16:55] You know, you got to pass the ball, man.
[00:16:56] You got to share it.
[00:16:57] You got to share it around.
[00:16:58] And, uh, you know, I've got an incredible team and a wonderful community of, of people
[00:17:06] behind me and in the efforts that we're putting in.
[00:17:09] This has been the most work I've ever put into a tournament in my life for this weekend.
[00:17:15] It shows.
[00:17:16] The details, the, the little things, the, the networking, the, the stress and setbacks.
[00:17:21] Yep.
[00:17:22] You know, there, there was so many different things that people don't really even know about
[00:17:26] that kind of went down prior to this.
[00:17:29] And I just think every, every year we come back better.
[00:17:32] We come back more prepared.
[00:17:34] We come back with new wrinkles.
[00:17:35] So, okay.
[00:17:36] Let's year over year, year one, year four.
[00:17:41] What exactly, uh, have you noticed, uh, what's the most significant change that has taken place?
[00:17:48] Yeah, that's, that's tough.
[00:17:50] Um, or just one that you'd think of the most important implementation.
[00:17:56] Was that Foosball Clubs USA backed me in the effort to run this, you know?
[00:18:04] Of course.
[00:18:04] People don't know this, but the, some people don't know this.
[00:18:08] Everyone knows it now, but I've ran this thing.
[00:18:11] During the first three years, we had about $8,000 that we had, um, year over year just accumulated.
[00:18:20] And I had borrowed some money from some close people that invested in me to run the first
[00:18:25] tournament.
[00:18:26] Then the second tournament we kept building.
[00:18:28] You need about 7,500 to do one of these.
[00:18:31] Yes.
[00:18:33] And so we took all that money and then we invested it into this year.
[00:18:38] And I just felt like it really shows, uh, like, oh, sorry.
[00:18:44] The, the investments there and it shows the work that we've put in.
[00:18:48] Yeah.
[00:18:49] Right.
[00:18:49] Right.
[00:18:49] It's reflected in the, in the experience.
[00:18:51] So I guess all that to say, like, Foosball Clubs really believed in me, the board.
[00:18:59] They, they believed in my vision for this.
[00:19:01] Cool.
[00:19:02] And we were all very pleasantly, I guess, surprised in like the progress and the outcome.
[00:19:10] Over 200 players, man.
[00:19:12] Yeah.
[00:19:12] I was going to say the attendance this year was better than ever.
[00:19:16] Yeah.
[00:19:16] It was a record setting tournament.
[00:19:18] People who had been coming to this tournament for decades told me, Hey Mike, this is the best
[00:19:24] Michigan tournament we've ever been to.
[00:19:25] Right.
[00:19:26] Yeah.
[00:19:26] You know, when I was a kid, before I was a kid, before I was around, those same people
[00:19:31] told me like this, this is the most like detailed valued effort that we've seen.
[00:19:38] And that alone is, is really special to hear from people.
[00:19:41] And a lot of people told me that this might be their favorite tournament.
[00:19:45] I, you know, I think that's going to be the case very soon.
[00:19:47] You know, and I'm not already, I'm not saying that I'm, I'm better than anyone or that you
[00:19:53] have to come to my tournament because it's better than yours.
[00:19:57] I just believe in the, in, in what we're doing here.
[00:20:00] Yeah.
[00:20:01] I do.
[00:20:01] And like, I spend a lot of time working on this.
[00:20:07] Like, Oh, it's, it's, here's the thing.
[00:20:09] I think if you're a foosball fan, a foosball player of any level.
[00:20:13] Yeah.
[00:20:14] Uh, I think unless you actually actively promote an event like this, you have no idea
[00:20:20] the effort that that's involved and how long, I mean, when do you start planning next year's
[00:20:25] event?
[00:20:26] I mean, what in a week?
[00:20:29] Usually I take like two months off and then I start thinking about it.
[00:20:33] Um, I like to get in a contract signed by January, like the first week of January.
[00:20:38] Sure.
[00:20:39] So usually like end of, end of November.
[00:20:43] Okay.
[00:20:44] Like I'll be looking at, you know, I'm always looking at different hotels to see like what,
[00:20:49] what other deals could I get?
[00:20:51] Okay.
[00:20:51] Can I get a better deal?
[00:20:53] Can I find a better location closer to the airport to maximize the potential?
[00:20:57] I mean, this is a great place to run the tournament.
[00:21:01] It's a really great hotel.
[00:21:02] But even, even that, even that being said, Tom, I feel like I can do better.
[00:21:05] Okay.
[00:21:06] Like there was so many things that like, I'm like, I'm such, I feel like I'm very like,
[00:21:12] I'm, I'm very critical of myself.
[00:21:14] Okay.
[00:21:15] And like, there was some stuff that could have been better.
[00:21:17] Like the team event could have been a little bit more like organized.
[00:21:20] Well, that's the first time you've done it though.
[00:21:21] Yeah.
[00:21:22] Yeah.
[00:21:22] It was sweet.
[00:21:23] It was, it was a lot of fun.
[00:21:25] A proof of concept.
[00:21:26] I think it worked out really well.
[00:21:27] It worked out super well.
[00:21:28] It went very smoothly.
[00:21:29] Um, you know, I'm just, I'm super stoked on everything.
[00:21:34] Like I got to play with my dad and pro and open doubles.
[00:21:39] Yes.
[00:21:41] And you know, that was really special being able to share that with him.
[00:21:45] Um, exactly played open mix with my sister.
[00:21:49] That was really cool.
[00:21:50] I played the pro am with Aaron Croft and you know, that was, that was really cool, man.
[00:21:57] Here, I'm going to let my dad come in here and sit down.
[00:21:59] Oh, he's, he's bringing your money.
[00:22:01] Have a seat, dad.
[00:22:02] How often does your, how often does your take a seat in the hotspot?
[00:22:07] This is, uh, this is my number one pick right here.
[00:22:11] Michael Stahl.
[00:22:12] How are you?
[00:22:12] How are you?
[00:22:13] How are you?
[00:22:13] Hello, Michael.
[00:22:14] How you doing?
[00:22:15] Not too shabby.
[00:22:17] Nice.
[00:22:17] Nice to see you again.
[00:22:19] Very nice to see you, sir.
[00:22:21] So we were just talking about, uh, year over at year over year from year one to year
[00:22:29] things have changed.
[00:22:30] Things have progressed.
[00:22:31] What's the, what's the best thing that's happened over the last four years to this tournament?
[00:22:36] I would say a steady increase in attendance.
[00:22:39] Yes.
[00:22:39] You know, the first year we had 154.
[00:22:42] The second year we had one, was it 168?
[00:22:45] Okay.
[00:22:46] The third year, 186.
[00:22:47] Okay.
[00:22:48] This year, I think when the dust settles, 210.
[00:22:52] 210.
[00:22:53] Really?
[00:22:53] We went that much over 200?
[00:22:54] That's awesome.
[00:22:55] Nice.
[00:22:56] Yeah.
[00:22:56] I think it was around that.
[00:22:57] It was probably in the ballpark.
[00:23:00] It was definitely over 200.
[00:23:01] Right.
[00:23:02] Our goal was to break 200 and we did.
[00:23:04] We did it.
[00:23:04] Yeah.
[00:23:05] That's been the goal since day one.
[00:23:07] Um, so let's talk about your, uh, playing together.
[00:23:10] Yeah.
[00:23:11] So, uh, how did that feel, Michael?
[00:23:14] Michael senior.
[00:23:16] Well, we always have really good chemistry.
[00:23:18] Yes.
[00:23:19] I pass him the ball probably as good or better than anyone.
[00:23:22] Better than anyone.
[00:23:23] I've played with some, let me just say this real quick.
[00:23:25] I played with some of the best players in the world.
[00:23:27] You know, I've played with Todd.
[00:23:29] I've played with, um, you know, Kevin Romero.
[00:23:32] I've, I've played with some of the best goalies that have ever touched a two bar.
[00:23:36] Yep.
[00:23:37] And this guy right here is my number one pick.
[00:23:40] Wow.
[00:23:40] And it's not just cause I love the hell out of him.
[00:23:42] Right.
[00:23:43] And because he made me.
[00:23:45] Right.
[00:23:46] But it's because he passes me the ball better than anybody.
[00:23:49] He knows me better than anybody.
[00:23:51] Well, I started passing the ball when he was 12 years old.
[00:23:52] Oh, cool.
[00:23:53] And he says to me, dad, you're doing too many variations.
[00:23:56] There's no way I can figure out where to catch the ball.
[00:24:00] I says, don't worry.
[00:24:01] After a couple hundred thousand times, you will.
[00:24:04] And he did.
[00:24:05] Now I throw like 30 different passes.
[00:24:07] He sees them coming.
[00:24:09] And he catches like 95%.
[00:24:11] Yeah.
[00:24:12] Seriously.
[00:24:13] Seriously.
[00:24:13] Yeah.
[00:24:13] We lost an overtime to the team that made the final in open doubles.
[00:24:16] Overtime match point.
[00:24:18] And I had two shots.
[00:24:20] I had two shots.
[00:24:21] Oh.
[00:24:21] We, we had him beat with possessions.
[00:24:24] No kidding.
[00:24:24] I outfived him.
[00:24:25] Yeah, of course.
[00:24:26] You know, that, you know, we're a great team.
[00:24:30] Yes.
[00:24:30] And I'll always play with this dude.
[00:24:32] He'll always be my guy.
[00:24:34] Yep.
[00:24:34] I, you can't buy that in a store, guys.
[00:24:38] No.
[00:24:39] No, man.
[00:24:40] It's, it's pretty special.
[00:24:41] You know, we've, we've done really well.
[00:24:43] We've, you know, here's a cool story.
[00:24:45] So my dad, what year was it?
[00:24:48] You took second at worlds in semi-pro doubles.
[00:24:51] What year?
[00:24:52] That would be 90, 1990.
[00:24:55] 1990.
[00:24:56] Six years out, six years later, he pops me out, right?
[00:25:00] My mom does.
[00:25:01] I had the king seat at the world championships.
[00:25:04] There was, I don't know, over 250 teams.
[00:25:08] 250 teams.
[00:25:09] And I got double dipped twice on match point by Greg Grant from California.
[00:25:14] First time we ever saw a snake shot.
[00:25:16] So then.
[00:25:17] In the first set, my dad has the ball to win.
[00:25:19] Yeah, I did.
[00:25:20] Okay.
[00:25:20] He hits a, he does a pole kick right off the corner of the goal, off the wall, back into
[00:25:25] his own goal.
[00:25:25] Back into my own goal.
[00:25:26] Oh.
[00:25:27] And, but then 28 years later.
[00:25:29] Not 28 years later.
[00:25:31] Yeah, 28 years later.
[00:25:32] Was it 28?
[00:25:32] Yes, sir.
[00:25:33] I guess it would be.
[00:25:34] 2016, do the math.
[00:25:36] We win the same exact event.
[00:25:39] At the world's, but only this time with me at goal.
[00:25:42] Nice.
[00:25:43] Yeah.
[00:25:44] And, uh, yeah.
[00:25:45] He wins pro doubles at the same tournament.
[00:25:47] Rated an expert.
[00:25:49] Isn't that amazing?
[00:25:49] You know, there's been a lot of full circle stories with, with foosball with me and, and
[00:25:54] with my family.
[00:25:55] There's a lot of things people don't really know about.
[00:25:58] Like my sister was on Nickelodeon for foosball.
[00:26:01] Was she really?
[00:26:01] No kidding.
[00:26:02] She got slimed.
[00:26:03] She got slimed?
[00:26:04] Because she stumped the panel of guest judges that were trying to figure out.
[00:26:10] Exactly what her hidden talent was.
[00:26:13] Oh.
[00:26:13] Mary Moore was contacted by Nickelodeon.
[00:26:15] Okay.
[00:26:16] Mary, so at nationals that year, Angelina, my sister, beat me.
[00:26:20] In St. Louis.
[00:26:21] Beat me in the finals of junior singles.
[00:26:23] Yeah.
[00:26:24] Wow.
[00:26:24] Wow.
[00:26:24] And so they wanted a junior champion.
[00:26:28] And so they flew my sister and my mom out to California.
[00:26:31] She won all the prizes, stumped the panel, and just, it was awesome.
[00:26:35] Got slimed, which was her goal.
[00:26:36] Yeah.
[00:26:37] She says, Dad, I don't care if I win anything.
[00:26:39] I just want to get slimed on national TV.
[00:26:41] You know?
[00:26:42] Yeah.
[00:26:42] My mom and dad were nine months pregnant for me at this tournament when they won open mix.
[00:26:46] 96.
[00:26:47] They three-straighted the guy who got conducted in the Hall of Fame this weekend.
[00:26:52] No kidding.
[00:26:53] Who was a master at the time.
[00:26:54] I turned to my wife.
[00:26:56] She says, honey, I think I'm going into labor early.
[00:26:59] Uh-oh.
[00:26:59] And I says, yeah, but can you mark a point?
[00:27:02] Yeah.
[00:27:04] So I had a sense of urgency, and we went through people like hot butter.
[00:27:07] I just went long every single time.
[00:27:09] Yeah.
[00:27:09] And it was over, and she says, it was false labor.
[00:27:12] But that's Michael was like in her belly, probably telling her where to be to block these shots.
[00:27:18] Right.
[00:27:18] Or wanted to come out and play.
[00:27:19] Yeah.
[00:27:20] So that was his first championship title.
[00:27:23] Open mix in Flint, 96.
[00:27:25] That's quite a history there, Michael, for some of your age.
[00:27:28] There's a lot.
[00:27:28] Right?
[00:27:30] There's a lot of cool stories with my family in foosball, and it's special to me.
[00:27:34] This tournament's really special to me.
[00:27:36] That's why I put so much effort into it.
[00:27:38] It's blood.
[00:27:39] Right?
[00:27:40] It is, man.
[00:27:41] Plain and simple.
[00:27:42] And let me be clear.
[00:27:43] These names on this trophy, these people are the people that helped me get to this point
[00:27:50] to share this with everyone.
[00:27:51] This isn't my trophy.
[00:27:53] This is our trophy.
[00:27:54] Yeah.
[00:27:55] This is our promoter of the year award.
[00:27:57] I like that sentiment.
[00:27:58] You know?
[00:27:59] Like, this is our tournament.
[00:28:00] Yeah.
[00:28:01] This isn't my tournament.
[00:28:02] This is the tournament that I get to share with people.
[00:28:06] But somebody, here's the thing, and I appreciate your humble attitude, but somebody's got to
[00:28:12] stand up and do this, man.
[00:28:13] And before anything happens, somebody like you has to stand up and say, hey, we can do this.
[00:28:18] Yeah, man.
[00:28:19] Let's go.
[00:28:19] Let's go.
[00:28:21] Well, my son has always made high goals for himself.
[00:28:24] And sometimes I actually doubted the things he said, but his visualization of success has
[00:28:32] never been altered, and it's always been true.
[00:28:35] So it's like, now I just, whatever he says, I just believe it automatically because I know
[00:28:40] he has the drive to follow through and close the deal and make it happen.
[00:28:45] We're so lucky in this phase of foosball history to be on the verge of something pretty big this
[00:28:53] next year.
[00:28:53] And I keep repeating myself today about this, but 2025 World Foosball Tour.
[00:28:59] Guys, get out and support Ryan.
[00:29:01] Get out and support the tour.
[00:29:03] Things are going to change, right?
[00:29:04] Things are going to be pretty amazing with this guy running this thing.
[00:29:08] But you are in the place, in the right place at the right time.
[00:29:11] You're practiced enough at this four years to be a huge part of the World Foosball Tour.
[00:29:17] Yeah, man.
[00:29:18] A couple goals that I'm going to set out, and I'll just say it right now.
[00:29:22] Because I believe in him, and I believe in him so much that I can see him in my mind.
[00:29:27] Okay.
[00:29:28] The first goal, I want to get 500 different schools.
[00:29:33] Specifically, it would be nice to have high schools.
[00:29:36] Yes.
[00:29:37] Playing foosball in their schools.
[00:29:39] Dude.
[00:29:40] I want to buy 1,000 foosball tables, $1.89 million worth of equipment.
[00:29:47] Wow.
[00:29:47] And have total package of light, protecto flex, speed bridge, all of it.
[00:29:54] Like, I've put the numbers together.
[00:29:55] I know what it's going to take.
[00:29:56] Okay.
[00:29:57] I'm prepared.
[00:29:58] Like, this could happen where these kids could be...
[00:30:03] The average high school has 754 kids in it.
[00:30:07] Average high school.
[00:30:08] In America.
[00:30:09] Yes.
[00:30:09] If we can get 100 of those kids playing foosball to try it, 20 of them are going to be in the
[00:30:15] club and show up every week.
[00:30:16] Yep.
[00:30:17] And look at this guy that got promoter of the year.
[00:30:19] If we can...
[00:30:21] Pops, hear me out.
[00:30:22] If we can get 20 of those kids to be competitive...
[00:30:26] Yep.
[00:30:27] ...times that by 500, that's 10,000 kids playing foosball competitively in high school every year.
[00:30:33] We're talking, what, five years out?
[00:30:35] Five, six years out?
[00:30:36] I've got a four-year plan.
[00:30:38] A four-year plan?
[00:30:40] Yeah.
[00:30:40] Nice.
[00:30:40] It's going to take, like, $486,000 a year.
[00:30:44] Okay.
[00:30:46] So, the idea is to give away college scholarships to pay for kids' education.
[00:30:55] The Foosball Clubs USA 2027 champion, club champion...
[00:31:01] Yes.
[00:31:02] ...is going to have free college.
[00:31:03] Wow.
[00:31:04] Why not?
[00:31:05] Why can't we do that?
[00:31:07] Of course.
[00:31:07] Why can't we help facilitate education, higher education?
[00:31:11] Yep.
[00:31:12] It's costly, man.
[00:31:13] These kids are breaking their back just to pay for college education.
[00:31:17] No doubt.
[00:31:17] Why can't we help them?
[00:31:18] Why can't we be a part of that?
[00:31:20] I think that's a brilliant move.
[00:31:23] I think so, too.
[00:31:24] And I think that it's the fastest way to build the love for foosball.
[00:31:30] Love for foosball, but also for education in general.
[00:31:34] Exactly, but it's a win-win-win-win.
[00:31:36] Yeah.
[00:31:37] And I'll tell you why.
[00:31:38] It's not just about the love for foosball.
[00:31:40] It's about the therapy that it facilitates.
[00:31:43] Yes.
[00:31:43] It's about the environment that it creates, the community that it promotes.
[00:31:47] Yep.
[00:31:47] It's all about the social cause.
[00:31:51] Delivering these kids from anxiety, depression.
[00:31:54] Yes.
[00:31:55] Maybe they're feeling a certain way.
[00:31:57] They don't know how to handle it.
[00:31:58] Or overcoming adversity in general.
[00:32:00] Yeah.
[00:32:01] Competitive edge.
[00:32:02] Like giving them some skin in the game.
[00:32:05] Yep.
[00:32:05] They have something they can wake up and think about and dream about at night.
[00:32:11] Right.
[00:32:12] And they have a reason to go to school.
[00:32:16] We've heard that story more than once.
[00:32:18] Yeah.
[00:32:18] Right?
[00:32:18] Dude, that was my life, man.
[00:32:20] I had an algebra teacher named Mr. Baker in 11th grade.
[00:32:27] At the end of 10th grade, it would be my sophomore year, he let me bring in my brown marble into the back of his school.
[00:32:35] You brought the table into the school.
[00:32:37] He had a little office in the back of his math class, and we had a foosball club.
[00:32:42] We had 18 students during lunch every day.
[00:32:46] Wow.
[00:32:46] Every day.
[00:32:47] And we played, and they just were in awe of my school.
[00:32:50] I was the cool kid.
[00:32:51] That 18 kids turned into 30.
[00:32:54] Wow.
[00:32:55] 30 turned into 50.
[00:32:56] Damn.
[00:32:57] And I was just playing everybody.
[00:32:59] Yeah.
[00:32:59] We fixed a cleft palate playing foosball.
[00:33:04] Really?
[00:33:04] That was my first.
[00:33:05] Dude, I was like, it's just crazy how, and there's some things I haven't shared.
[00:33:09] This is one thing that I haven't really shared.
[00:33:12] We had a fundraiser in 12th grade.
[00:33:15] Okay.
[00:33:15] And in the library, we did a three-day fundraiser, and we raised enough money to fix a cleft palate.
[00:33:21] Whoa.
[00:33:22] I do remember that now, as a matter of fact.
[00:33:24] Do you remember that?
[00:33:24] And since then, he's done a lot of fundraisers, like foosball players that have had cancer.
[00:33:31] Yeah.
[00:33:31] One guy broke his neck on the way home from one of our tournaments.
[00:33:36] Really?
[00:33:38] We raised some money for Johnny Horton.
[00:33:40] Yeah.
[00:33:40] Johnny Horton.
[00:33:41] You know, and it's not just about playing foosball or the love of the game.
[00:33:49] Right.
[00:33:49] It's about what you can do sharing it.
[00:33:51] So you're giving back.
[00:33:54] It's attacking.
[00:33:55] Giving back to the sport.
[00:33:55] Yeah.
[00:33:56] You're giving back to the community at the same time.
[00:33:58] Well, it's attaching your passion to a social cause.
[00:34:01] Yes.
[00:34:01] And I think that's the future of promoting.
[00:34:03] I think that we need to get more people interested in playing foosball.
[00:34:08] Give them a reason to try it.
[00:34:10] Yep.
[00:34:10] Because for face value, they look at this wooden box with metal rods and plastic handles and
[00:34:16] men, and they don't understand it.
[00:34:18] Right.
[00:34:18] But if they think, well, if I put my hand on the rod and try to shoot the ball, I can help
[00:34:24] with some kind of cause.
[00:34:26] Sure.
[00:34:26] I can be a part of the betterment of society.
[00:34:29] Simple.
[00:34:30] You know.
[00:34:30] It's a no brainer.
[00:34:32] My marketing team put something together, and I want to read it real quick.
[00:34:36] Okay.
[00:34:36] Okay.
[00:34:37] It's from the curriculum that we spent day and night prior to this tournament putting
[00:34:42] together.
[00:34:42] I'm very proud of it, and I'm very tired, so I will apologize in advance for me reading
[00:34:50] this at 1 a.m.
[00:34:52] Go for it.
[00:34:53] After the tournament.
[00:34:56] I love this line.
[00:35:01] At our core, we're all about fostering interactive and positive experiences for the youth
[00:35:06] of our nation.
[00:35:07] But here's the secret sauce, Tom.
[00:35:10] The easiest sell in business isn't just about profit margins.
[00:35:14] It's about passion.
[00:35:16] The kind of fuel.
[00:35:17] I'm sorry.
[00:35:18] The kind that fuels societal betterment.
[00:35:22] Yes, we're talking about good old social causes.
[00:35:25] Welcome to our world.
[00:35:27] The business of empowerment and teamwork.
[00:35:30] Our mission?
[00:35:31] To weave strong, meaningful connections with the local communities we serve.
[00:35:35] Because guess what?
[00:35:37] Foosball isn't just a game.
[00:35:38] It's a bridge.
[00:35:39] And we're the architects constructing those vital links.
[00:35:44] Our marketing and advertising squad?
[00:35:46] They're like matchmakers, forging connections with local businesses that share our values.
[00:35:51] Logo design?
[00:35:52] Check.
[00:35:53] Event coordination?
[00:35:54] You bet.
[00:35:55] And club customization?
[00:35:57] Oh, we've got that covered too.
[00:35:59] Each club, distinct with its own swagger, carves out its identity.
[00:36:05] It's like a symphony of foosball tables, each playing its unique tune.
[00:36:09] But wait, there's more.
[00:36:10] Our grand mission?
[00:36:12] To spotlight the positive impact of organized, social, and competitive foosball within our communities.
[00:36:18] Because when that little ball rockets off the walls, it's not just a score.
[00:36:23] It's a high five to camaraderie, a fist bump to teamwork, and a nod to community spirit.
[00:36:30] Wow.
[00:36:30] That's a step.
[00:36:31] Who wrote that?
[00:36:32] AI.
[00:36:34] Really?
[00:36:35] Yeah.
[00:36:36] Kristen Grogan.
[00:36:38] Okay.
[00:36:40] If there was one person that helped make this year happen the way it happened, it would be her.
[00:36:48] She's incredible.
[00:36:49] She is the person.
[00:36:52] She's amazing.
[00:36:53] Right.
[00:36:53] She is probably one of my favorite people in foosball.
[00:36:59] And, you know, I've asked her for so much help.
[00:37:02] I've utilized her in so many different ways.
[00:37:04] And she's so responsive and quick and so passionate about foosball.
[00:37:08] Yes.
[00:37:09] No question about it.
[00:37:10] No question.
[00:37:11] And people undervalue her.
[00:37:13] She is like a Swiss army knife.
[00:37:16] She's like a Swiss army Kristen.
[00:37:19] She's got it all.
[00:37:20] Dude, she's deadly.
[00:37:21] She's awesome.
[00:37:22] That is truly amazing.
[00:37:24] She is the secret sauce.
[00:37:26] She always has a good thought.
[00:37:29] Every time I go over and just ask a question, hey, how you doing?
[00:37:33] And David Kala.
[00:37:34] Let's talk about that guy too for a second because wow.
[00:37:36] Yes.
[00:37:37] David is also a big part of the future when it comes to foosball.
[00:37:42] I got promoter of the year, but like, come on.
[00:37:44] Yeah.
[00:37:45] Yeah.
[00:37:46] This guy and her?
[00:37:48] Yeah.
[00:37:48] Come on.
[00:37:49] What a team.
[00:37:49] They're pretty amazing.
[00:37:51] No one knows the work that these people do on the inside.
[00:37:54] Miriam Ali.
[00:37:55] Yes.
[00:37:56] Let's talk about her for a second.
[00:37:57] She ran the Tornado World Series.
[00:38:00] She was the World Series.
[00:38:02] Yep.
[00:38:02] She made that happen, dude.
[00:38:03] That was extraordinary too.
[00:38:05] I mean, just to be there.
[00:38:06] She fortified connections.
[00:38:08] Yep.
[00:38:09] She did the thing in so many special ways.
[00:38:14] And now she's part of USTSO.
[00:38:16] You know, these people are so special to the sport.
[00:38:20] There's so many more.
[00:38:22] Oh, yeah.
[00:38:23] Michael Veidt.
[00:38:24] Let's talk about him for a sec.
[00:38:27] The Archangel.
[00:38:28] The Archangel.
[00:38:29] The man himself.
[00:38:30] The man.
[00:38:31] He's refurbishing foosballs for me and my program.
[00:38:34] Yes.
[00:38:35] He's going to be busy in a few years.
[00:38:36] I think so.
[00:38:37] If he keeps it up.
[00:38:38] He claims to be retired.
[00:38:40] If we can hit the numbers I think we can hit, he's going to be very busy refurbishing
[00:38:44] foosballs, Tom.
[00:38:45] Oh, yeah, yeah.
[00:38:47] We're talking a bit about, and this will be an announcement in the near future, but
[00:38:52] we'll be making some arrangements for his quote-unquote business to be a part of
[00:38:56] Foosball Radio, Foos Talk Live.
[00:38:58] Yeah, man.
[00:38:58] I'm back in the seat.
[00:39:00] Tom Robinson.
[00:39:02] Here's another guy.
[00:39:03] Get out of here.
[00:39:05] You know, just, you guys are incredible people, and you've really been such a big part of
[00:39:13] like the work that I've done and have inspired me in ways.
[00:39:17] You know, it's...
[00:39:18] Every year, right?
[00:39:19] Yeah, it's been three years now.
[00:39:20] Three years in a row.
[00:39:21] You know, it's just, it's incredible what we can do together.
[00:39:25] Yeah.
[00:39:26] Yeah.
[00:39:26] No, it's, and I had to make sure that, because sometimes, I think last year and this year
[00:39:31] was sort of like, okay, I have to decide where I want to go as far as tours, the tour stops.
[00:39:35] I can only afford just so much.
[00:39:37] Yeah.
[00:39:38] And you were number one on the list every time.
[00:39:41] Well, I'll tell you what.
[00:39:43] For the rest of your life, you'll never pay to play at my tournament.
[00:39:47] You're one of those people that you'll never, even if you, you know, you want to take a
[00:39:53] break from working it, because you do work it.
[00:39:56] Well.
[00:39:56] You'll always have a place here.
[00:39:58] Thank you.
[00:39:59] I appreciate that.
[00:40:00] You know, Todd has a lifetime free entry in IFP.
[00:40:05] Come on, buddy.
[00:40:06] You're on my list now.
[00:40:07] All right.
[00:40:08] And there's a few people on there.
[00:40:09] Don Shalifo is one of them.
[00:40:10] He'll never pay at my tournament.
[00:40:12] The Don of Chicago.
[00:40:14] The Don.
[00:40:15] The Uncle Don.
[00:40:16] Yes.
[00:40:16] You know, there's just, there's so many special people that have really put their life
[00:40:24] into this game.
[00:40:25] People would not do this if they didn't believe in you.
[00:40:28] It's pretty cool, man.
[00:40:29] Yeah.
[00:40:29] We, it's a team effort, and we're going to continue to do this.
[00:40:33] There's going to be more wrinkles.
[00:40:35] There's going to be, we're going to keep doing this.
[00:40:38] Yes.
[00:40:38] It's going to be special in different ways, and I will not rest until it is better and
[00:40:47] better.
[00:40:48] Nice.
[00:40:48] And it's just going to be what it is, man.
[00:40:51] I'm just, my gratitude level is off the chart.
[00:40:54] Yes.
[00:40:55] You think about all the really great tournaments that have occurred in the foosball sporting
[00:40:59] world.
[00:41:00] Think about Colorado State, how famous that was.
[00:41:04] Texas State was always a great, great tournament.
[00:41:08] They're, you know, even on the West Coast, now you've got Moneyball.
[00:41:12] They've built a nice reputation, but now you're right up there in that echelon.
[00:41:16] You're right up there with those top echelon stops on the tour.
[00:41:22] And it's going to get better.
[00:41:24] It's going to get, because everybody's talking about it.
[00:41:27] So my partner, my partner in crime, Randy Raposo.
[00:41:30] Dude, I love Randy.
[00:41:31] He was the first, it was the first time here this year.
[00:41:34] He's, I'm going back next year.
[00:41:36] Yeah.
[00:41:37] I'm doing it.
[00:41:37] It's amazing.
[00:41:38] Yeah.
[00:41:39] By the way, he played lights out.
[00:41:40] He's such a great player.
[00:41:42] Yes.
[00:41:42] His runner up is smooth.
[00:41:44] It reminds me of Billy.
[00:41:45] He reminds me of Billy a little bit.
[00:41:47] Because they actually grew up in the same neighborhood.
[00:41:49] I know.
[00:41:50] So, yeah.
[00:41:51] And Billy is one of my heroes too.
[00:41:53] So you wanted to put my lights out?
[00:41:54] Yeah, he did.
[00:41:55] He did.
[00:41:56] Yeah, he did play lights out.
[00:41:57] Him and Bruce beat us on table one.
[00:42:01] Okay.
[00:42:01] Okay.
[00:42:02] They put a whooping on us.
[00:42:03] I just couldn't rock his inside pull moves.
[00:42:07] Yeah, I didn't play good.
[00:42:08] I didn't really show up until Sunday.
[00:42:10] But that's okay.
[00:42:12] Like it's...
[00:42:12] It's okay.
[00:42:14] It's...
[00:42:14] Next time you guys meet them on the table, it'll be a different deal.
[00:42:18] Well, I'm just looking forward to competing against players of his echelon.
[00:42:22] Of course.
[00:42:22] And it's an honor to be there regardless of the outcome.
[00:42:25] Of course.
[00:42:25] And to be fair, you know, this...
[00:42:31] The competitive...
[00:42:32] The level of competition here...
[00:42:34] Yeah.
[00:42:35] Oh.
[00:42:35] Is pretty good.
[00:42:38] We had a bunch of pro masters.
[00:42:40] I'm trying to think of how many.
[00:42:41] I think five.
[00:42:42] Four.
[00:42:43] Pro masters.
[00:42:43] Four or five.
[00:42:43] Okay.
[00:42:44] Five or six.
[00:42:45] Of course, Brandon Munoz.
[00:42:47] Yeah.
[00:42:48] Who could forget?
[00:42:48] Yeah, man.
[00:42:50] And Ron Olsen.
[00:42:52] Yeah, there was quite a...
[00:42:54] Cody Byrie makes three.
[00:42:55] Cody Byrie, yeah.
[00:42:57] You had Dusty Bambinick.
[00:42:59] You had Brubaker.
[00:43:02] You had Joe Rhodes.
[00:43:05] Yes.
[00:43:05] You had...
[00:43:06] I mean, there are at least six.
[00:43:07] Yep.
[00:43:08] You know?
[00:43:09] And I have to say...
[00:43:11] We had Sam Dijon.
[00:43:12] I would call him a master.
[00:43:13] Oh, you know what?
[00:43:15] Because of the...
[00:43:15] One open mix this weekend.
[00:43:17] I mean, his performance this weekend...
[00:43:20] Stellar.
[00:43:22] Stellar.
[00:43:22] There was that Michael Stahl Jr. guy.
[00:43:25] Yeah, there's that guy.
[00:43:26] He's real close to pro master level.
[00:43:28] So, when is that going to happen?
[00:43:30] 2025?
[00:43:30] Pro master?
[00:43:33] Yes.
[00:43:33] Yes.
[00:43:34] I can see that in your eyes.
[00:43:36] I've got the points for house.
[00:43:38] And I think that's the most legitimate point system.
[00:43:43] But it's all about consistency, Tom.
[00:43:45] Of course.
[00:43:45] You know?
[00:43:46] I took fourth in open singles here.
[00:43:48] Yes.
[00:43:48] The only people above me were Cody Byrie.
[00:43:52] And I had him down two games to nothing.
[00:43:54] Wow.
[00:43:54] And...
[00:43:55] But it doesn't matter.
[00:43:57] You know?
[00:43:58] I mean, I'm...
[00:43:58] I know that I'm a good player.
[00:44:00] And I...
[00:44:01] Oh.
[00:44:02] I can play and promote.
[00:44:03] I can do it.
[00:44:04] It's...
[00:44:05] That's the amazing thing.
[00:44:06] To have that kind of distraction.
[00:44:07] You think about when you were playing.
[00:44:09] If you were doing this at the same time...
[00:44:10] If you...
[00:44:11] He was running back and forth.
[00:44:13] Looked like a giant pinball machine in here.
[00:44:16] Announcements over here.
[00:44:17] Back over here.
[00:44:19] Play over here.
[00:44:20] Back over here.
[00:44:21] Back and forth.
[00:44:22] And his energy level was consistent and strong.
[00:44:25] Yep.
[00:44:26] And he played great.
[00:44:27] And, I mean, there are a few match points that we lost.
[00:44:30] They went the other way.
[00:44:32] I think I lost five match points this weekend.
[00:44:34] I mean, just...
[00:44:35] It's tough.
[00:44:36] A millimeter in the other direction.
[00:44:38] And we might have been in the finals of a couple events.
[00:44:43] Yeah.
[00:44:43] But that's foosball, right?
[00:44:45] That's how it goes.
[00:44:46] Yeah.
[00:44:46] It is.
[00:44:47] You don't really be mad for like one minute when it's over.
[00:44:49] You know, I used to...
[00:44:51] I used to think that my results really indicated my worth.
[00:44:55] And I don't anymore.
[00:44:58] Like...
[00:44:58] Right.
[00:44:58] It's really just the effort you put in.
[00:45:00] That indicates your worth and the passion that you have.
[00:45:03] And to scale that.
[00:45:04] Sure.
[00:45:05] And to be able to grow it.
[00:45:05] To add wrinkles to it and to enjoy it with your friends.
[00:45:09] That is the real worth.
[00:45:11] You know?
[00:45:12] And like...
[00:45:13] It's all good, man.
[00:45:14] Like, we had a great time.
[00:45:18] I think I left everything on the table.
[00:45:20] Yes.
[00:45:21] You know?
[00:45:22] In more ways than one.
[00:45:23] It's like...
[00:45:24] And accepting the responsibility of making sure this happens.
[00:45:27] I mean, that by itself, that kind of pressure, whether you play or not, is enormous.
[00:45:34] Well, it fuels me.
[00:45:35] It gives me a good reason why.
[00:45:36] Yeah.
[00:45:36] It makes me think, hey, someday I could be the best.
[00:45:39] Yeah.
[00:45:40] Well...
[00:45:40] Maybe.
[00:45:41] I would say...
[00:45:43] I think it's highly likely.
[00:45:45] I think we could do it.
[00:45:47] I think I got a good pit crew.
[00:45:48] I got a nice team.
[00:45:50] Oh, yeah.
[00:45:50] And it's not always about being the best.
[00:45:53] Sometimes it's just about being there.
[00:45:56] Having the opportunity.
[00:45:57] Of course.
[00:45:58] And being grateful for that.
[00:46:00] You know?
[00:46:01] And eventually, you know, I might get there once.
[00:46:04] Being a good player, of course, always means being in that moment at that moment.
[00:46:08] Yeah.
[00:46:08] And being right there, present.
[00:46:11] And this weekend shows you were present for every single second.
[00:46:14] It was fun, man.
[00:46:15] We had a great time.
[00:46:16] And, you know...
[00:46:18] So, okay.
[00:46:19] I wouldn't change much.
[00:46:21] Michael Sr., I got to ask you the question.
[00:46:23] Next year, same time, what do you want to see happen next year?
[00:46:30] Well, let's keep the increase of turnout.
[00:46:35] Okay.
[00:46:36] That's one thing.
[00:46:37] Because it's always good to keep going up and in the right direction.
[00:46:40] We got 50 clubs.
[00:46:42] Let's say we had 150 or 200 clubs.
[00:46:46] There you go.
[00:46:46] I know that's ambitious.
[00:46:48] You ever hear a thing called fail forward?
[00:46:52] Or sometimes if you set your goal so high, you fail above what other people deem as successful?
[00:46:58] Sure.
[00:46:58] Like, I subscribe to like Tony Robbins and like all these guys.
[00:47:03] Oh, yeah, yeah.
[00:47:03] That...
[00:47:04] Motivational speakers.
[00:47:05] ...are very motivational.
[00:47:06] Yep.
[00:47:07] And they talk about like the law of attraction and visualization.
[00:47:10] Yep.
[00:47:11] It can be done, man.
[00:47:12] Oh, it's...
[00:47:13] It's very possible.
[00:47:15] It's seeing the goal.
[00:47:16] Yeah, man.
[00:47:17] Seeing the goal.
[00:47:18] And like in foosball, if you couldn't see the goal, how would you make a shot?
[00:47:26] What do you think, Pop?
[00:47:28] You want to do this again next year?
[00:47:30] Open doubles partners.
[00:47:32] Let's lock it in right now.
[00:47:33] You should probably...
[00:47:33] You should probably get a better partner than me.
[00:47:36] No, forget about it.
[00:47:38] Forget about it.
[00:47:39] Forget about it.
[00:47:40] I mean, I'll keep throwing you passes.
[00:47:42] I just don't want to hold you back.
[00:47:44] As long as I can do the job, then we'll keep doing it.
[00:47:48] But as soon as I'm not carrying my own weight, you need to move on.
[00:47:53] No, man.
[00:47:54] You heard that right here.
[00:47:56] I don't think...
[00:47:57] On foosball radio on the road, you heard it for the very first time.
[00:47:59] Between Michael Sr. and Michael Jr.
[00:48:02] No, man.
[00:48:04] We're in this for life, Pop.
[00:48:06] Well...
[00:48:07] You and me.
[00:48:10] I love to play, but I want to be effective.
[00:48:14] So, he told me, because I hadn't played much since last year.
[00:48:19] Gotcha.
[00:48:19] And I didn't go to the World Championships this year because I'm not well practiced.
[00:48:26] Gotcha.
[00:48:26] I'm not going to take my show on the road if there's no show.
[00:48:30] Yeah.
[00:48:30] So, he's like, okay, we'll play in Michigan.
[00:48:32] We'll play states.
[00:48:34] But I need you to commit to practicing and get back into it.
[00:48:39] And so, he's at the World Championships and he calls me.
[00:48:44] I don't know if it was on your way there.
[00:48:45] He's like, Dad, go get one of my new tables out of my house.
[00:48:50] Take it to your house and start practicing.
[00:48:52] So, I did.
[00:48:54] The same day, I went and got the table, set it up in my office.
[00:48:58] And the very first night, I played all night by myself until 5 in the morning.
[00:49:05] I shot over 1,000 shots.
[00:49:07] Wow.
[00:49:07] Wow.
[00:49:08] By the end of the week, I shot around 3,500.
[00:49:12] Whoa.
[00:49:12] Within three weeks, I was over the 7,000 mark.
[00:49:15] No kidding.
[00:49:15] And my elbow started to hurt.
[00:49:17] So, I took a weekend off or a week off.
[00:49:20] And then we went to Mike Wyrowski's house for a tournament.
[00:49:23] I had a paid vacation day.
[00:49:25] We went there.
[00:49:26] We barely won that overtime match point against the Wyrowski's.
[00:49:30] But you won it.
[00:49:31] Because where there's a will, there's a way, Wyrowski.
[00:49:36] And then we went to Detroit, won that one.
[00:49:39] So, I kind of got back in stroke because I didn't want to embarrass myself.
[00:49:44] Sure.
[00:49:44] I didn't play great.
[00:49:46] But I played okay.
[00:49:48] That's why I say I want to, if I'm able to carry my own weight, I'll continue playing.
[00:49:53] But Ignati definitely needs to find someone better.
[00:49:58] Dude, this is our event.
[00:49:59] This is our tournament.
[00:50:00] I would like to win open doubles once.
[00:50:03] There you go.
[00:50:05] That would be cool.
[00:50:07] How many Michigan State titles do you think you have in what event?
[00:50:14] Well, oh my gosh.
[00:50:16] I used to run tournaments.
[00:50:17] I ran the state championships.
[00:50:19] Okay.
[00:50:19] I think at least five years straight.
[00:50:22] Gotcha.
[00:50:23] Way before he was ever born.
[00:50:24] It was not a sanctioned tournament by IFP or whatever.
[00:50:29] It was just me, a guy who knew there was no state championship anywhere else.
[00:50:34] So, I ran a pool hall.
[00:50:36] And so, I had 15 tables of my own.
[00:50:39] And I spent a lot of money on big trophies.
[00:50:44] Yeah.
[00:50:44] And guaranteed.
[00:50:45] I didn't guarantee a lot.
[00:50:46] But I guaranteed like $500 first place in different events.
[00:50:51] And we had over, we probably had 150 player base working with.
[00:50:59] And most of them were beginners and amateurs.
[00:51:02] So, they thought I was really good.
[00:51:03] But I was a big fish in a small pond.
[00:51:06] So, I won, I don't know, 20-something events probably over the years.
[00:51:12] And then played all over Michigan.
[00:51:15] Went to every tournament I could.
[00:51:16] I literally had a tournament at my house one day a week.
[00:51:20] And two at the place where I worked.
[00:51:23] So, I ran and played in three tournaments every week for maybe five or six years straight.
[00:51:29] That's a lot of practice right there.
[00:51:31] We had, you know, Tony Bacon would come to my house.
[00:51:34] And we would just play and play and play and play.
[00:51:37] Because Tony Bacon was the guy that really was the guy at the top of the totem pole that we all looked up to.
[00:51:46] And he's always like, Mike Stahl, give the ball a good toss in the five bar.
[00:51:52] Pass with a variation in speed and timing.
[00:51:56] Take a well-rounded amount of shots in the three row.
[00:51:59] I mean, that's verbatim.
[00:52:01] Yes.
[00:52:01] But you would hear it's a very simple explanation of how to play.
[00:52:06] But if you think about what I'm saying, that's how you should play.
[00:52:11] So, we learned that from Tony.
[00:52:13] Right.
[00:52:13] Gary Conley, Mike Washburn.
[00:52:15] You know, they were the guys.
[00:52:16] Those are legendary names.
[00:52:19] Yeah.
[00:52:19] And so, yeah, Gary here got the Hall of Fame nod and brought his kids and his daughters.
[00:52:27] I was like an old softy up there crying when his daughters were talking.
[00:52:32] I saw that.
[00:52:33] Not that I saw you crying necessarily.
[00:52:35] I think everybody was.
[00:52:36] Yeah, absolutely.
[00:52:38] That was really a tear-toe.
[00:52:39] Because they showed so much love for him.
[00:52:41] Yes.
[00:52:42] And they each read a page that they had written.
[00:52:45] And the guy's just a class act.
[00:52:47] Yeah.
[00:52:48] No doubt.
[00:52:48] Got the Firewall Brush series like Tony Bacon.
[00:52:50] Yep.
[00:52:52] Brian Piper.
[00:52:53] One of the original guys.
[00:52:55] Ron Olson.
[00:52:55] Larry Smith.
[00:52:56] Now, Ron Olson.
[00:52:57] Firewall Brush.
[00:52:59] Ron Olson emulated Tony Bacon Firewall Series and, you know, face-to-face learned it from him.
[00:53:06] And then he shot what I call the Terry Moore snake shot.
[00:53:10] The Terry Moore.
[00:53:11] If you got Tony Bacon on the left hand and Terry Moore on the right hand, you might be called Ronzilla.
[00:53:17] Okay?
[00:53:18] The Thrilla.
[00:53:19] The Thrilla.
[00:53:20] Yeah.
[00:53:21] It's especially those legendary names.
[00:53:24] It seems, you know, that the more of those stories we hear, the better.
[00:53:28] We always love that.
[00:53:30] You know, getting a chance to talk to the legends.
[00:53:33] Boy, I'm trying to think now.
[00:53:35] It was, oh, God.
[00:53:39] Furry.
[00:53:40] Doug Furry.
[00:53:41] Doug Furry.
[00:53:42] We had him on once.
[00:53:44] Really?
[00:53:44] The stories he told, just extraordinary.
[00:53:48] Yeah.
[00:53:48] You know, those stories can be told again, but in a different age.
[00:53:53] And I really see that we're in a new era for foosball, and it might be the best.
[00:54:00] Yeah.
[00:54:01] It might be the best to come.
[00:54:03] Yes.
[00:54:03] The rebirth of an industry is occurring as we speak.
[00:54:10] That's what he just said.
[00:54:11] Right there.
[00:54:12] Right there.
[00:54:13] And that is not hearsay.
[00:54:16] No.
[00:54:16] That's happening right now.
[00:54:18] We're watching it.
[00:54:19] So buckle your seatbelts.
[00:54:21] Here we come.
[00:54:22] Because it's going to explode.
[00:54:24] I mentioned to a gentleman that we were trying to make back to the 70s, and this gentleman
[00:54:31] said, better than the 70s.
[00:54:33] Oh, yeah.
[00:54:35] Yeah.
[00:54:35] Much better.
[00:54:36] He was a gentleman, an elderly gentleman.
[00:54:39] But he had some insight, and yeah, I think we're going to see the rebirth of an industry.
[00:54:46] I love that.
[00:54:47] And this is just the beginning, and we're going to reach new heights, and we're going to get
[00:54:50] those kids out of their phones, and a lot of screen time, and get some physical activity
[00:54:55] in their daily routine, and some camaraderie with their friends.
[00:54:59] And this is just a giant, what do you call it, family reunion.
[00:55:08] Yes.
[00:55:09] You know, everybody comes here to see their friends.
[00:55:13] A guy walked up to me today, or no, it was yesterday, that I hadn't seen in 35 years.
[00:55:20] 35 years.
[00:55:21] Okay.
[00:55:22] Mike, remember back in the day when we played foosball at Edward Roller's skating ring?
[00:55:30] Let me correct myself.
[00:55:31] That was 50 years ago.
[00:55:33] 50?
[00:55:34] 50?
[00:55:35] That's not the last time I saw him, but that's the first time I saw him.
[00:55:38] Wow.
[00:55:39] He played on roller skates.
[00:55:40] No kidding.
[00:55:41] How extraordinary is that?
[00:55:43] Well, so it's great to have you both on.
[00:55:47] This has been an extraordinary experience all the way around the tournament.
[00:55:51] Can't wait for 2025.
[00:55:54] Let's keep talking.
[00:55:55] Let's have you both back on soon.
[00:55:58] And we'll keep this ball rolling.
[00:56:00] We'll keep it going.
[00:56:01] Thank you, Tom.
[00:56:02] You're a class act, man.
[00:56:04] I'm just a guy with a blown out voice.
[00:56:07] That's all I am.
[00:56:08] Bro, you're the man.
[00:56:11] And, you know, it's an honor to have you here.
[00:56:13] And like I said, you know, you're more than welcome back at any time.
[00:56:18] Thank you.
[00:56:19] And your money is no good here, my friend.
[00:56:21] Like, it just isn't.
[00:56:24] I'm so touched and honored that you would offer that.
[00:56:26] Yeah.
[00:56:27] That really makes me feel like, okay, maybe I'm doing the right thing here.
[00:56:31] I don't know.
[00:56:31] As long as you breathe air, bro, you're here.
[00:56:33] And we're doing this thing.
[00:56:35] And you're a great partner and a great friend.
[00:56:38] I want to share one thing with you that kind of came to me out of the blue today.
[00:56:42] Sure.
[00:56:43] That coming to Michigan State, but, of course, the Great Lakes Classic now,
[00:56:48] coming here after three years, this year more than ever, I felt like I'm coming home.
[00:56:53] Wow.
[00:56:55] That's special, man.
[00:56:56] Thank you.
[00:56:57] Thank you.
[00:57:01] Foosball Radio on the Road with Michael Stahl Sr., Michael Stahl Jr.
[00:57:07] Guys, I'm just about tapped out.
[00:57:10] Thanks, Tom.
[00:57:11] We appreciate all the work you do, buddy.
[00:57:13] Thank you so much.
[00:57:13] It's been a pleasure.
[00:57:14] Oh, yeah.
[00:57:15] We'll see you next year.
[00:57:16] Oh, you absolutely will.
[00:57:17] This is not the last time we'll be together.
[00:57:20] So it's been a great tradition.
[00:57:22] At any rate, Foosball Radio on the Road.
[00:57:26] This is our last report for the weekend officially.
[00:57:30] Wrapping this tournament.
[00:57:31] 2024 is in the history books, and we're so happy to be a part of it.
[00:57:35] So thanks again, guys.
[00:57:37] This has been a presentation of Foosball Radio, all rights reserved.
[00:57:42] Our sincere thanks to all our Patreon supporters.
[00:57:46] Foosball Radio on the Road.
[00:57:56] Foosball tournaments are everywhere.
[00:57:59] Foos Talk Live proudly presents a weekly update of events near you.
[00:58:03] With the Foos Talk Live tournament beat, here's what's up.
[00:58:08] It's the third annual New Hampshire State Championship December 21st
[00:58:12] at the Merrimack Ten Pin, Merrimack, New Hampshire.
[00:58:16] Wrap up your year as 716 Buffalo Foosball proudly presents
[00:58:20] the Riverworks Annual Foosball Tournament, December 27th and 28th,
[00:58:25] Buffalo Riverworks, Buffalo, New York.
[00:58:27] Looking ahead to next year,
[00:58:29] Don't miss the Central New York Winter Main Event, January 3rd and 4th
[00:58:34] at the Hometown Studios, Cortland, New York.
[00:58:37] East Coast Foosball presents a Saturday Foosball Tournament,
[00:58:41] January 5th at Merrimack Ten Pin, Merrimack, New Hampshire.
[00:58:45] It's the second annual North American Leonhardt Championship,
[00:58:49] January 17th through the 19th, Montreal, Canada.
[00:58:53] Introducing the World Foosball Tour.
[00:58:55] Make your plans to compete at the $30,000 World Foosball Tour kickoff,
[00:59:01] January 30th through February 2nd, 2025,
[00:59:04] at the Clarion Hotel, Lexington, Kentucky.
[00:59:07] It's the 2025 South Dakota State Championship,
[00:59:11] February 21st through the 23rd,
[00:59:14] Royal River Casino, Flandro, South Dakota.
[00:59:16] Take your vacation with the 2025 Costa Rica Summer Beach Tournament,
[00:59:21] March 13th through the 16th,
[00:59:24] at the Amapola Resort and Hotel, Jocko, Costa Rica.
[00:59:28] House of Tournaments presents Moneyball Northwest,
[00:59:31] March 13th through the 16th,
[00:59:33] at the Crowne Plaza in Portland, Oregon.
[00:59:36] The 2025 Wisconsin Foosball State Championship,
[00:59:40] March 20th through the 23rd,
[00:59:43] Mad Apple Billiards in Appleton, Wisconsin.
[00:59:45] The 2025 Hall of Fame Classic,
[00:59:48] April 9th through the 13th,
[00:59:49] at Westgate Las Vegas Hotel and Casino,
[00:59:52] Las Vegas, Nevada.
[00:59:53] RK Foosball presents the 2025 Florida State Championships,
[00:59:59] May 1st through the 4th,
[01:00:00] Holiday in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Florida.
[01:00:04] The 2025 Minnesota State Foosball Championships,
[01:00:08] May 2nd through the 5th,
[01:00:10] Wyndham Garden, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
[01:00:12] The ITSF presents the 2025 Tornado World Series and ITSF Gold Series Finals,
[01:00:20] May 23rd through May 26th,
[01:00:23] at the Westin-Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Dallas, Texas.
[01:00:26] It's the 2025 Illinois State Championship,
[01:00:30] June 5th through the 8th.
[01:00:31] More details coming soon.
[01:00:33] Each week, we do our best to give you the most up-to-date listing of foosball tournaments near you.
[01:00:39] If you have an event you'd like to add,
[01:00:41] send us all the details at foosballradio at gmail.com.
[01:00:45] Tune in every week for the Foos Talk Live Tournament Beat.
[01:00:51] Foos Talk Live is a product of Foos Ball Radio.
[01:00:54] With gratitude, we recognize our Foos Ball Radio Patreons.
[01:00:59] Our Foos Talk Live sponsor,
[01:01:01] original-leonhart-usa.com
[01:01:04] And thanks to InsideFoos.com for use of their audio during the show.
[01:01:09] Tune in again next week for another episode of Foos Talk Live.
[01:01:13] In the meantime,
[01:01:14] we'll see you at Foosin'.
[01:01:15] Foosin'.
[01:01:15] Foos Talk Live.