Lancaster business owner earns top pool league honor
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Rod Stebelton, a Lancaster business owner, has received one of the Valley National 8-Ball Association’s highest honors.
Stebelton, who owns Stebelton Music & Vending, received the organization’s Meritorious Service Award during the 46th Annual VNEA World Pool Championships held May 21–30 at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to a community announcement.
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The recognition is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the international pool league organization.
Stebelton’s connection to the industry began when he was a teenager in Lancaster, where an interest in electronics and a broken jukebox led to early experience repairing coin-operated equipment. As a high school senior in 1980, he repaired and placed his first pinball machine on location.
He expanded into pool tables a few years later, purchasing his first table in 1984 and transporting it himself with a borrowed dolly because he did not yet own one, according to the announcement.
Long history in Ohio leagues and trade group
That same year, Stebelton joined the Ohio Music and Amusement Association — now known as the Ohio Coin Machine Association — after being encouraged by an experienced operator he met while working with machines in Columbus. He was later elected to the group’s board.
In 1990, he launched his first VNEA pool league with six teams, marking the start of decades of involvement with league play.
Stebelton went on to serve two terms as president of the Ohio Coin Machine Association, first from 1996 to 1998 and again in a term concluding this summer. He also managed the organization’s state pool and dart tournaments.
He previously received the association’s Meritorious Service Award in 2022.
Acceptance remarks highlight mentors and family
During the ceremony in Las Vegas, Stebelton reflected on his early career and the people who influenced his path into the industry.
“In 1984, I bought my first pool table. At the time I had only an S10 pickup truck and didn’t even own a pool table dolly. I borrowed a dolly from an old-time operator I had met when tinkering with games and jukeboxes in Columbus, Ohio. He convinced me to join the Ohio Music and Amusement Association," Stebelton said. "After meeting other operators on the board … and hearing about the VNEA league program, I decided to join VNEA. I started in my first league in 1990 with six teams."
He ended his remarks by thanking colleagues, fellow operators and members of the VNEA board, along with his wife of 41 years, Pam, who he said has stood by him through the whole process.
About the organization and business
The Valley National 8-Ball Association was founded in 1979 to promote pool played on coin-operated equipment. The nonprofit has grown from about 2,500 members in its first season to nearly 100,000 sanctioned players competing across more than 30 states, six Canadian provinces and seven other countries, according to the announcement.
Stebelton Music & Vending is a family-owned business based in Lancaster that operates coin-operated amusement machines, vending equipment, and pool and dart leagues. The company is run by Stebelton alongside his sons, Alex and Sam.
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This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Rod Stebelton wins VNEA service award