Taking electives can be an exciting way to keep college interesting for many students. Among the courses that might be unexpected is a billiards class.

“I’ve played all over the United States … [and] I’ve won some pretty good sized tournaments … I enjoy the game, [and] I play for fun– that’s why I started,” instructor of the billiard class, Terry Young, said.

The billiards class held at Shocker Grill and Lanes in the Rhatigan Student Center has been taught by Professor Young for the past 30 years. Young is known as one of Wichita’s top billiard players and said he has been active with the game for 65 years, playing in many tournaments. 

“From what I’ve heard, Professor Young is the number three billiards player in Kansas,” said Luke Bumm, a current student in Young’s class. “I think he’s owned billiards clubs before, and he’s actually currently either semi-professional or professional. He just missed class this week because he was at a professional tournament.” 

Young also has been inducted into two halls of fame. In 2013, he was inducted into the Wichita Pool Player HOF, and in 2025 he was inducted into the Valley National Eight Ball Association HOF. 

Young previously owned a pool hall, Rumors, for 26 years in Wichita. According to KMUW, the hall opened in 1987 at 1861 S Hydraulic Ave. It stayed open until 2013. 

After playing and instructing the class for so long, Young said that the enjoyment he gets from the sport is a never ending journey. 

“It’s a fun job. I wouldn’t even call it a job, you know … I got a table at home, I practice every day and I’ve learned how to enjoy practicing,” Young said “… You never get to where you want to be, it’s just a lifetime journey. You’ve just got to learn how to enjoy the journey, for better or for worse.” 

Bumm, a business major, said that taking the billiards class is a good way to bring variety into his usual class schedule. 

“It’s a great way to get outside of kind of the business classes I’m into day to day, and it gives me something that I’m able to translate to the outside world once I graduate, as a recreational sport,” Bumm said. “He gives great pointers. He understands how to teach people who have almost no knowledge of billiards. It’s been a great class.”

Before teaching billiards, Young worked in computer software for 20 years. The opportunity for Young to instruct the class came by phone call in fall 1994 while he was the owner and operator of Rumors. Young said he believed it was Rich Renollet, the director of Shocker Grill and Lanes, who made the call to offer the job. 

Young said that his experience and being a Wichita State University alum likely contributed to receiving an offer for the position. At WSU, he recalled participating in two national collegiate billiards (ACUI) tournaments that would happen each year. In 1996, he took 2nd place for WSU. 

“I think my students take my class for various reasons, and it doesn’t matter to me — I’m okay with whatever … It’s a blessing in disguise,” Young said. “One of the toughest things about pool is staying motivated to improve your game, and when you’re playing, it’s hard to stay motivated to give every shot 100%, so teaching this class is one more motivator for me.”  

The motivation seems to go both ways with the fun that is shared between Young and his students. 

“I would recommend [that] if anyone wants something fun in their class schedule or needs an extra credit, they should definitely take the billiards class,” Bumm said.