Please watch between 3:40 to 5:00

I have a story to tell.

About 10 years ago, after dusting off the ole foosball table and practicing, I decided to hit the tourney scene again after a 25 year hiatus. I found out that the best player of the time played here in Colorado, just like Loffredo, Jackson, Spear, etc of my first tour of duty. I heard of this place called The Breakroom and after dinner out with my wife near the area we stopped by there and she let me go check this tournament out going on there. I step up to a table and there he is. He looks up, smiles and says hi I'm Robbie Mares, asks my name, and then asks me if I'm there for the tournament. I said no I'm here to watch him play and explain that I used to play and of course he says I should play. I tell him I'm too nervous so I'll just watch, he acknowledges that, but insists that I play some time. This meant the world to me since back in the day most of the top players were not this friendly with the newbs. Well after 10 years of loving this foosball scene I have watched Robbie and have decided that what makes him this great player are the 3 'P's.
Persistence. Anybody who knows Robbie's tour training schedule knows of this. We all also see this persistence when he shoots on two regularly and then when he scores he says "maybe I should take my time and read the defense". You think! But he always follows it with "great blocking bubba or insert any goalies name".

Passion. We see this in Robbie's home foos domain and anytime he steps in to help run a tourney or to do fundraising for any foos or other's personal needs. I saw it personally at the Colorado State when Lori Jackson, the sister of the late Gil Jackson, was there to receive an honor to her brother and Robbie said "that's what it's all about". I told Robbie I played back in Gil's day and he looked at me, shot that warming smile of his and said "that's too awesome"!

Pride. You can see the pride that Robbie takes in every aspect of his chosen sport but this pride might also make him believe that we have forgotten this great moment he is about to experience or that he has not touched each and every one of us in some way and made our life even just a little bit better, but he would be mistaken. We are your foos symphony.

You see it takes persistence, passion, and pride to be a great champion. We in Colorado have been blessed to have many a great Hall of Fame Champion call our State home and in one week we will have a Hall of Fame Champ!

Robbie Mares, I love you my foos brother and I am proud of you. Congratulations!

I would ask just one small thing: once you receive this great honor and have had the time to reflect and enjoy, please sign on this board in the moniker that can only be reserved for you, Champ, and tell us a story.

Jim

Edited by user Sunday, March 8, 2015 4:34:40 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I didn't have a local pro to play and learn from when I started playing. We did have lots of experts, but I wanted to go to the next level. Purchased 20 different VHS tapes of various events from Jim Stevens to watch the people who were winning. Robbie was the hot up and coming player that had turned Master. At the next tour event, I approached Robbie and asked to play for $20 a game. I knew I'ld lose, but was willing to pay for the lesson. Robbie looked at me and smirked. He said, " What do you want to learn?". He didn't want my money, and then went over things that made all of the difference and I remember to this day. Later at that same tournament, I ended up winning a tornado table in the table playoffs against Justin Shaw.

With that said, I would add a fourth P for Professional. A true class act on and off the table like a pro should be. Thank you for helping and congratulations Champ!

They posted a cool video previewing the Vegas rollerball event, and it looks awesome. Wish I could go to Vegas just to watch the event and his induction to the HOF.

Everyone talks about what a great sportsman Rob is, and how nice he is...and I 100% agree, but some of us have seen his other side. I don't mean a poor sport...but I mean that bloodthirsty attitude that comes out every now and then where you're like "Whoa". When I first started playing, I was a little put off by the surprise split personality...but knowing what I know now...I love that he can get a little testy on the table. It's not just a game all the time, it's war. It's great that he can be so helpful and cool off the table, but so fierce on it. He walks the perfect balance.

I posted a 5 bar theory video on Youtube, and that is straight from Robbie helping me out at a Tulsa tourney one time...enlightening me on the next level of the game.

There are so many great foosers in this game, but the gap between just great and these elite type of players who live and breathe foosball is so enormous. To play at that level for a lifetime...constantly driven and hungry, constantly studying, working, improving...it really is awesome.

Congrats to achieving the highest of honors in this sport.

X

Edited by user Sunday, March 8, 2015 4:56:02 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thread of the year, and finally one that doesn't suck!

thank you Jim for taking the time to share that video and your story. i watched/read it twice it was that good. and everyone else, please feel free to share a moment on here you had with Champ... that makes for some awesome reading :)

with that being said, i'd like to share a story away from the foos table. during the early 2000's, robby came up with an idea, that we should all get together and have a nice summer's night out at the drive in! it was an instant success, and became tradition. i think we ran it for 5 years, before the drive in eventually closed, and each time was soooooo much fun :) this was prolly the only time any of you would catch robby with a beer in his hand, and getting drunk after 2-3 of em, hahaha. he would then let his hair down, and either stand up thru a sunroof or up in the back of a pick up, and his silhouette had a remarkable resemblance to Jesus!

man i miss those days, but hear that a new drive in will be opening in the metro area soon, so maybe that tradition can carry on! :)

congrats champ, on earning the highest achievement any sport has to offer, vegas this year will be truly unforgettable!!!

- moose

Robbie ,
Denny's....kentucky..I was never more nervous as a newbie on tour. You took time out of your breakfast to tell me stories about that venue...crazy nights....and who you had the most fun with outside of matches. It was like being invited to a VIP party by a new friend. I also have never played on a table with you without getting real constructive input. You are the coolest promaster to ever play in my eyes. I am sorry I wasn't there to give you my personal support but I will tour again and you are who I enjoy routing for the most. DENVER...we are so blessed to have Robbie as our resident promaster FRIEND AND FOOSBALL LEGEND! Congrats.