Dr. David G. Alciatore is a Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU), where he worked 1991-2020. Dr. Dave, as his students knew him, was a dedicated teacher and received numerous awards for his contributions, including the university-wide Board of Governors “Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.” His major research, consulting, and teaching interests included the physics and engineering of pool/billiards and bowling equipment; high-speed video motion analysis, modeling and simulation of dynamic systems, mechatronic system design, and engineering education. He is author of the textbook Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems, the popular book The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards, and the instructional video series: “The Video Encyclopedia of” Pool Shots (VEPS), Pool Practice (VEPP), Eight Ball (VEEB) and Nine-ball and Ten-ball (VENT), and How to Aim Pool Shots (HAPS), System for Aiming With Sidespin (SAWS), Billiard University (BU) instructional set, and High-speed Video Magic. He also writes a monthly column for Billiards Digest magazine dealing with the physics and engineering aspects of the game. Dr. Dave is Dean and co-founder of the Billiard University (BU), and was instrumental in developing the BU assessment tools, rating system, and instructional resources. Here’s a video interview dealing with how Dr. Dave incorporated his passion for pool into the engineering classroom, and here’s a video showing some examples of what his students did in the Mechatronics course he developed and taught.
Dr. Dave has a PhD (1990) and an MS (1987) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS (1986) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Orleans. He was an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for many years, serving on many committees, boards, and task forces. He was a Professional Engineer and also served as an ASME Distinguished Lecturer, and is an ASME Fellow.