University of Virginia Library

Marble Tourney Rerun

By Charles Papazian

Marble shooters of
Charlottesville will be able to
compete this weekend for the
coveted Second First Annual
Whoop Moffitt Memorial Marble
Tournament Cup.

The SFAWMMT is sponsored by
the 1705 Jefferson Park Avenue
Authority in memory of Agmar
"Whoop" Moffitt, a late 19th
century Scandinavian architect and
marble shooter. The tournament
will be open to all interested
persons, regardless of age or
marbles finesse.

The 1705 JPAA members are
trying to bring back an interest in
Mr. Moffitt and his
accomplishments. He was the true
father of marbles as we know it
today. In fact, we get our word
"aggies" from a derivation of his
first name.

His other name, Whoop, has an
interesting background. Through
vigorous and extensive research
the 1705 JPAA found that this
came from an incident when he was
four years old. While working in his
father's shop he happened to
swallow five or six cast iron ball
bearings and immediately became
noisily and wretchedly ill; hence his
name "Whoop".

But through this incident he was
introduced to the forerunner of
today's marbles. He formulated a
few rules and soon became the
undisputed "High Huncher" of
marbles.

His greatest moment in
tournament history lead to his
death. He had just finished running
4082 marbles (a record which still
stands) against his opponent, Count
von Wilheim Wombat, in the
Vienna Invitational of '97. Wombat
became angry and threw his shooter
at Whoop, and Agmar Whoop
Moffit died with a stiletto between
the eyes.

The SFAWMMT will be held
Saturday, May 1, at p.m. at 1705
Jefferson Park Ave. All persons
wishing to register for the
tournament or wanting further
information should call 295-1705
or stop by 1705 JPA. The only rule
so far is to bring your own shooter.

NO STEELIES!!

In case of inclement weather,
the SFAWMMT will be held
Sunday, May 2, at 1 p.m.