 
PLAYER
PROFILE:
Tom
Slivka
"Not a wire away"
Editors note: Passionate
dart players exist all around the world, and since the Medallion is all
about spreading the word of the pleasure of darts, we thought that this
month the Medallion would feature a deserving player out of Arizona.
It is our hope that you enjoy reading about this fine fellow!
By Mike Bates
This month’s featured player is Tom Slivka. I chose Tom because
he is not only a great dart player, but a great father, husband and provider.
He is 54 years young and looks way younger than me (Let’s not discuss
my age!).
Tom is a structural engineer and is disciplined enough to work for himself.
He has a wonderful wife, Doreen, who is very smart, because she doesn’t
hang out with us goofballs much. According to Tom, she deserves most of
the credit for raising their wonderful children.
They have two sons and two daughters. Michael is with the Department of
Defense Research and Development in Camp Pendleton, California. Based
out of Yuma, Robert is a Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps and is
on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He and his beautiful wife are expecting
the Slivka’s first grandchild.
The Slivka ladies are no slouches either. Michelle just graduated from
ASU with a degree in Business Management and Law. His youngest, Jennifer,
works with the Phoenix Police Department.
Anyone who knows Tom knows how proud he is of his entire family.
Now, on to the fun stuff... Tom’s greatest accomplishment in darts
so far was being selected to the NDA’s Team USA in 1999. His toughest
opponents, at least in the Phoenix area, are John Gray, Rick Kerska, Dave
Fatum and Martin Bedoni.
When Tom isn’t playing darts, he is fishing or working in his garden.
Tom, like myself, moved to Phoenix from Ohio 20 years ago, and Has played
darts for 15 years.
MIKE: Would you rather win the NDA Singles title or a
four-man team event?
TOM: Singles of course, you only depend on yourself to win.
MIKE: Would you rather win the Master League Top Gun or
win the League?
TOM: Hopefully if I am throwing well enough to win the Top Gun, my team
will win the league.
MIKE: Rather eat a cheeseburger or pizza?
TOM: Pizza, unless I make the cheeseburger.
MIKE: Rather have sex or shoot a 5.0 on league night?
TOM: Hands down, shoot a 5.0. I can have sex anytime, but I’ve never
shot a 5.0 in League. If I did it, would be a night to remember.
MIKE: Steak or Lobster?
TOM: Nothing beats a good Filet Mignon.
MIKE: Rather win the Don Henson Award or Top Gun?
TOM: I would be honored to win the Don Henson Award.
(Editor’s note: The Don Henson Award is given out
at the Don Henson “Class”ic Dart Tournament in Phoenix each
year. It is presented to the player who most brings class, dignity and
sportsmanship to the dart community, and is meant to honor the memory
of Don Henson’s life and the remarkable person he was.
The recipient is selected by past winners, and it is a considerable honor
to receive it.)
MIKE: What player would you like to beat the most?
TOM: No one person comes to mind. I’m not afraid to play anyone
and I am not concerned about who is at the tournament. I do worry about
the lucky draws some people seem to get at tournaments. I can beat anyone
and I can also get beat by anyone.
MIKE: You seem to have a lot of nicknames, what would
you rather be known as?
TOM: I don’t have much choice on this one. My dart buddies always
decide what to call me. The last time nicknames came up, they were calling
me “Rod the Crow Slivak who’s a wire away.” I am just
glad they forgot about the Jaegermeister.
Well, I didn’t forget the Jaeger!
What have we learned about Tom Slivka? He likes meat over fish, but he
likes to catch fish and take care of veggies. He doesn’t like sex
as much as good darts, can beat anyone or get beat by anyone.
He seems to be on the fence on a lot of issues, but at least he is not
in the closet. He wants his Burger and pizza, too.
For me, Tom is a fierce competitor who plays the game with a passion.
He wants to win; even driving home from the bar, he wants to beat you
to the next light.
He has coined two phrases that he will always be remembered for, and they
are, “Come on” and of course, “I’m just a wire
away.”
Tom is a man that others, as well as myself, look up to. His family comes
first and he takes pride in his work and everything he does. The younger
players and non-dart players should take a lesson from Tom: you get your
work done, take care of the family and then enjoy your outside activities.
I am proud to be a friend of Tom’s and he can be my wingman any
time. Tom gives dart players a good name and proves lots of winners play
darts.
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