Grady Mathews

Grady Mathews (January 3, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas – April 18, 2012), also known as "The Professor", was an American pool player and was the first inductee into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame, in 2004. Mathews promoted pocket billiards throughout his career, particularly the game of one-pocket. He was the creator of the Legends of One-Pocket tournament series and promoter of many other tournaments. In addition to success at the table, he has been a technical advisor to movie producers, a regular commentator on pool matches taped by Accu-Stats Video Productions, a producer of billiard instructional video tapes, and an pool journalist and author. He was also a notable instructor and coach. He survived his wife Randi, who died August 7, 2009. He lived in Columbia, South Carolina and managed his pool room, Grady's Billiards. He is survived by two children, Marie and Grady IV. Marie lives in Tampa with her husband and child, and is pursuing a medical degree. His son Grady IV is finishing his PhD in Engineering at the University of South Carolina. Mathews continued to compete professionally, as well as putting on exhibitions, pool clinics, and private lessons throughout the United States until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. He died April 18, 2012.