The passionate darter for the day is Chicago darter Liz Tynan. As the winner of a couple of MVP awards at the Windy City tournaments, several readers of this website dropped me a note and suggested that Liz would be a great female darter to profile. After a couple of weeks of trying to get a hold of Liz, we finally connected by E-mail (isn't technology wonderful?) and here is Liz's profile!

Any nicknames?

No, not that I know of. I do have a twin sister, Anne that also plays darts. I guess people call us Tynan Twins & maybe they might put an adjective before that. I don't know.

Do you prefer electronic darts or steel-tip?

Steel!

I once played in the Bullshooter Memorial Day Tournament (electronic) with Terry McNulty. We placed in the top 8, not bad I guess for two that never played plastic before

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Do you consider electronic darts real darts?

"Real" darts are whatever the person likes to play. I'm sure the people that play plastic, practice, play, & get nervous just the same as the people playing steel. The games are just as intense I'm sure.

How long have you been playing?

I think I started in 93, so I was about 22.

How many teams are you currently on?

I usually take the summer off along with the rest of my WCD Mixed Thursday night team. We should be starting up real soon. I play on two teams from The Thatch (of course) WCD Mixed Thursdays & every winter season on WCD Open Tuesdays.

Ever been a Team Captain?

I was captain once for Thursday Mixed. I'm also a member of Windy City Darters.

How did you first get started playing darts?

Myself, Anne & my mom were in London in 1991 & we brought back a dart board & some darts for my dad. He never set the board up so Anne & I brought it into our bedroom & didn't know how to hang it, so we just propped it up on some pillows at the top of the bed & we stood at the bottom and just started throwing.

My dad then taught us the basics of playing 301, 501, & cricket. The board was eventually hung on the wall correctly. My dad use to drink in The Thatch & Anne would go up to the bar with him on Sundays. She wanted to play so bad but didn't know how to chalk. So my dad did the chalking & Anne would play the match. Eventually I started playing as well. All the guys at The Thatch were always so supportive & always encouraged us to play. I probably would never have kept playing except for that. They are a bunch of great guys.

Tell me about the first team that you played on...

The first team I played on was the best. We played on Wednesday nights for Prairie State Darts. It was an all girls team with myself, Anne, Christina Rynne, Rosie Travers, Evelyn Staunton, Maria Barrett, & Josie Molyneeaux. In our second season we won 1st place. That was one of the best nights ever. A lot of the teams we played were all guys, they would see us come in and think "how easy". We showed them. It was great for an all women team to beat a lot of all guys teams.

And your team names?

Eddies Angel's- Prairie State. Thatch Able Bodies, Where's Terry?, Who's Terry?-WCD Mixed Thursdays. Can't Win One & Crazy Ivans WCD Open Tuesdays. Home bar... Always The Thatch

What was your first tournament experience like?

My first tournament was the Windy City Cup a long, long time ago. I think it was at the Holiday Inn. I'm sure I was knocked out in the first round. I used to always be nervous when I played in tournaments or play-offs, so I'm pretty sure I had the jitters.

I always try to play in the Windy City Cup & Open. Everyone says I should be doing more tournaments, maybe one day I will.

Any lucky dart shirts or superstitions before a big match?

No superstitions, I don't believe in them. There are two exceptions though & they really are not mine, one is on Thursdays... at Di's Den we never throw away our empty bottles. It drives Rising Sun crazy!! The second one is on Tuesdays... Pat Mullane has to wear his red T-shirt & whitie tidies, I have to wear my brown boots, & nobody can touch the sheet except for Mike McKitterick.

Tell us about winning the Windy City MVP award...

In all the years I've been going to the Cup I never ever thought I could win something like that & to do it twice, I'm just shocked. I don't have the words to describe it, except that I feel honored to be in the same group of past winners. They are all such great women darters.

Share your practice routines...

I really don't have a practice routine. Sometimes if I'm in the mood I'll throw a few, otherwise just warming up before a match is enough.

(Editor's Note from Sherilyn: You must be a natural!)

Do you remember your first Ton-80?

My first ton80 I was playing on Mixed Thursdays & we were at Silvies, it was about 5 years ago, I think. I don't keep track of them, but at The Thatch they have a wall of honor for Ton80's hit during league play. I think I've hit about 6, maybe.

What kind of darts do you throw?

I couldn't tell you. I think they are about 24 grams. Nothing special.

What are your favorite tournaments and draws?

Tournaments... the WCD Cup & Open, they are fun weekends & you know just about everybody there.

Blind Draws at The Thatch on Sundays are the best. Everybody plays, the good, the bad, & the drunk. It's Great.

Favorite dart bar?

The Thatch of course. I like Di's Den set up if there's a table left for us (we are always late).

Would you pay to play steel-tip darts on the new coin-operated steel-tip games?

This is the first that I've heard about them. I don't know if I would pay to play.

What have some of your best darting experiences been?

Winning Prairie State with the girls. The first time we won Thursdays Mixed League in Silver then Gold. The first time we won Tuesdays Open league in Nickel A. Winning the Cricket Doubles at the Cup with Anne in 2000 & 2002. Winning the Womens 501& MVP at the Cup in 2001 & 2002. Losing to Crissy Howett in the Womens 501 semi finals at the Open 2001.. it went five legs, I played my heart out that game.

Who are the darters that you admire?

There are so many people to admire for playing. If it wasn't for everyone playing there wouldn't be dart leagues, Cups or Opens. Here are just a few that I know personally:

Anne Quinn(Tynan)-- If it wasn't for Anne I probably would not have played. She has always been my partner in just about everything. Anne started off as the better darter between us but she loses interest in it every once in a while at it shows in her games. Then other times she is on fire. She seems to do good at the Blind Draws at the Thatch as long as she doesn't win the Mystery Out! OUCH!!

Mike Malone (Wedge)-- He's tied for the best. He is so laid back when playing darts but loves to win. Sometimes when he's off his game the whole team could be. It's like everybody feeds from him. He loves to have fun while he's playing but takes it serious at the same time. If he has taught me anything it would be never ever call 301 in the second leg of Mixed Singles! & I never did again!!

Terry McNulty (Bully)-- This is who Wedge is tied with. Terry just loves darts, loves to win, & loves to have fun. Terry broke a lot of hearts when he moved back to Ireland last year. We miss him on our team, but have two great guys that took his place in Christy Phillips & Conal Gillespie I'm glad we have them.

Billy Heneghan-- He's just a great dart player. He is on our Thursday Mixed League Team. He doesn't have the time to play all the time but when he does he's a great addition. & like the rest of us he loves to have fun. I love to watch him throw he is so smooth & precise when he throws. He also gives great advise about outs when I need them.

Paul Canavan (Papa)-- He's probably the best dart player that came out of the Thatch. He's a great guy loves to have fun and you could almost always find him at the Blind Draws at the Thatch on Sundays. I always remember wanting to be pulled with him as his partner ( it was always a sure win) then when it happened I was terrified. But with Papa & all the other guys they make you feel better when you are playing with them always helping & always encouraging who ever they play with.

And last of all The Thatch, Ann Dalton & Nora Kirrane for starting the dart tradition and for Christina Rynne & Rosie Gillespie for keeping it going! Everybody knows how important darts is to the Thatch

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Who is the best local competition?

My Thursday night team always look forward to playing Di' Den Rising Sun. Ed DeBehnke, Nancy Visocki, Dawn Hamrin, Chuck Downer, Rick Runion, Bob Krueger, & Jerri Diamato. They are always the team to beat. Win or lose we always have a good time. They are a great competitive team.

What is your favorite tournament event?

I have two answers for this: Womens Doubles- There is no other choice but Anne. Anne is more than just a partner for darts, she is not just my sister, she is my best friend. I'm probably the luckiest person to have someone like Anne when I need a dart partner. We don't argue or get mad over bad shots or mistakes made by each other, we can almost laugh.

Like I said before if it wasn't for Anne playing I never would have started playing. We are so comfortable playing together we seem to pick each other up after one of us has a bad shot. We have played together since the beginning and I don't see it changing anytime soon. I'm glad I don't have to look to far for a partner.

Mixed Doubles would be Mike Malone. I've played with Mike for a long time now, both in tournaments & on Thursday's. I hope that won't change as long as we are both playing. We always play well together. He is very encouraging & such a good sportsman. I've learned so many important things from Mike & I hope to learn more.

In your own words, what encompasses a passionate darter and true sportsman?

A "passionate darter" is... somebody that loves to play, can be a good winner or loser & have a good time playing.

Do you think the mental aspect of the game is very important?

Yes, I would be the first to agree. I have the mechanics to play but not always the mental part. I have problems getting to my outs & sometimes I don't have the confidence to get out. It's something I have struggled with since I started. I think it really depends on who you are playing at the time.

Winning secrets?

I approach it the same way I would any other game. I try not to change anything, just play like I always do.

What words of wisdom do you have for the novice darter?

Practice, Practice, Practice.... your outs! Both learning your outs & hitting them. That is something I always try to work on. You can run down the board with big numbers, but you can only win if you hit your out. I know from experience. I've lost many, many games because I either didn't know my out & by not being able to hit it. Nancy Visocki once told me "stop practicing my 20's, everybody knows you can hit them . Practice your outs."

How do you deal with a slump?

I just keep playing the way I normally would eventually it will come back.

Favorite dart phrases?

Nothing special, you can almost always here me say: "Good Darts", "Right There". My favorite is "Pound Them" (Usually said to Anne when we are playing Cricket I'm telling her to go for points). Another one that is only said to certain people is "Pick up your socks". (Pick up your socks is said between maybe 4 of us who are just saying... come on you can play better, or stop messing around & take it out!)

Three words that describe you best?

Quiet, Quiet, Quiet

Anything else you want people to know about you?

There's not much more to know about me. The last answer really sums it up. I will say just reading this profile people will know so much more already.

Tell me about your dart setup at home?

Right now my dart board is hanging between my bedroom & my moms, I am almost in the bathroom when I throw them. I don't think I have a "dream dart room". As long as the board is on a wall I'm happy.

What other sports are you interested in?

Almost all sports. I played basketball in grammar school. Softball in high school. I still play softball in the summer (that's why I don't play darts in the summer). I also play Camogie (This is an Irish sport kind of like LaCross.)

What keeps you hooked on the game?

I think that is how I started. We used to play all the time & eventually started a team. For me what keeps me hooked is I just like to play & I enjoy the people I play with.

What are your personal goals with regard to darts over the next couple of years?

Probably to be a more complete player, with regards to my outs. I would love to win the Cup & MVP for a third time next March. To help my Thursday & Tuesday teams win in the fall & winter seasons. Five years from now I hope to still be playing.

And when you aren't playing darts, where can we find you?

At home or at The Thatch.

Any good dart stories?

There are sooo many to say!

Lastly, where do you buy your dart supplies?

I usually stock up at the Cup or Open. For emergencies The Thatch has a "tackle box".

Thanks Liz for taking the time to share your thoughts darts with us! As always, good luck and I'll see you at the line.