In this fifth and final installment of our Legends of the Cue deep-dive with co-host, former Mosconi Cup Captain and player, professional pool player, master teacher, and broadcaster Mark Wilson, we bring the conversation full circle — from the bright lights of international competition to the grassroots of the game he loves.

Mark takes us behind the curtain of his Mosconi Cup captaincy, sharing the challenges of managing world-class talent, the psychology of match play, and the small strategic edges — like the all-important lag — that can swing an entire event. With candid storytelling, he reveals the intense preparation, lineup decisions, and personal mentoring that went into shaping his teams, including guiding players like Shane Van Boening, Justin Bergman, and John Schmidt through the crucible of the Cup.

The discussion then shifts to Mark’s groundbreaking tenure at Lindenwood University, where he built one of the most disciplined, academically accomplished, and successful collegiate billiards programs in history. He explains how character, accountability, and camaraderie formed the core of his coaching philosophy, producing national champions and lifelong ambassadors for the sport.

We also explore U.S. Team Billiards, Mark’s ongoing “give back” initiative, where he continues to instill professionalism, etiquette, and technical excellence in players of all levels. From creative practice drills to fostering a family-like culture, Mark’s programs reflect his unwavering commitment to pool’s betterment.

With humor, humility, and heartfelt reflection, Mark shares lessons from decades at every level of the game — as a competitor, coach, mentor, and steward of billiards history. He closes with three revealing “final questions” on what he’d do differently, the one shot he’d like back, and how he hopes to be remembered.

It’s a fitting conclusion to a five-part journey through the life of a man who has dedicated himself to leaving the sport better than he found it.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

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Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this fourth episode of our special five-part series with Legends of the Cue co-host, former Mosconi Cup captain, accomplished professional player, master teacher, and broadcaster Mark Wilson, we journey through some of the most personal and defining chapters of his extraordinary life in pool.

Mark opens up about an unthinkable personal tragedy that nearly ended his career—and how a single spark of resolve set him on a path toward “relentless positivity” and a renewed purpose. We follow his return to the table, his life on the pro tour, and his travels to Hong Kong for one of the sport’s most prestigious events, where a career-defining win came with unexpected personal consequences.

The conversation then turns to the highs and lows of professional pool’s evolution—from the meteoric rise of the Camel Pro Billiards Series to the missed opportunities and missteps that left the sport struggling to sustain mainstream appeal. Mark’s candid reflections reveal a deep love for the game and frustration with decisions that shaped its modern era.

We also step into one of pool’s most electrifying stages—the inaugural Mosconi Cup in 1994—where Mark competed alongside legends such as Lou Butera against a European side featuring Steve Davis, Jimmy White, and a young Allison Fisher. With behind-the-scenes stories, colorful personalities, and heart-pounding match moments, Mark relives the intensity and camaraderie of those early Cups, including a memorable post-event invitation to train with Steve Davis at his home.

This episode blends personal resilience, candid history, and vivid storytelling—capturing why Mark Wilson’s journey is not just a career in pool, but a life shaped by the game.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In the third installment of our five-part conversation with former Mosconi Cup Captain, professional pool player, teacher, and broadcaster Mark Wilson, we dive deep into the formative years that shaped his career — on and off the table.

Mark’s story picks up in the heat of fierce competition and colorful characters. From life on the road with the fiery Jeff "The Pool Monster" Carter — a player as polarizing as he was talented — to the lessons learned under the watchful (and often demanding) eye of legendary mentor Frank “Sailor” Stellman, Mark shares how these relationships forged both his skills and his mental toughness.

We hear how “Sailor’s” no-nonsense standards, like his exclusive 100-Ball Runners Club tables, inspired Mark to grind relentlessly until he earned his place among the game’s elite. Along the way, Mark recalls key moments: winning the Wisconsin State Championship with a perfect 100-ball run, the thrill (and humbling reality) of matching up with Hall of Famer Steve Mizerak, and the boom-time action in Houston during the oil-rich late ’70s.

Mark also reflects on detours in his career — from a short-lived business venture in Nashville to the lure of returning to the road — and the importance of staying true to his passion for playing rather than chasing money. His tales are peppered with insider glimpses of the pool world’s unwritten rules, its high-stakes action, and its larger-than-life personalities.

Whether you’re a student of pool history or simply love great storytelling, this episode offers a rare window into the grit, humor, and heart it takes to thrive in the golden era of American billiards.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”