Tony Ellin

Tony Ellin, nicknamed Hurricane, lived from July 19, 1965, to June 14, 2000, and was a top-ranked American professional pool player who specialized in nine-ball. Born in New Jersey, he lived in Ladson, South Carolina, near Charleston, and was a touring professional in the 1990s. He was well known for his powerhouse break, which earned him the nickname after Hurricane Hugo, and he once pocketed six balls on the break. He was killed on June 14, 2000, at age 34, when his car collided with a locomotive near his home, days after playing the Sands Regency Open. A memorial tournament was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, to benefit a scholarship fund for his young daughter.