Starcade Contestant Don Woolard

Don Woolard, a Police Officer assigned to SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics Team), had the enviable distinction of appearing on 2 STARCADE! shows. Don's first show was taped in December 1982 with Mark Richards as the host. Don won the Grand Prize, a Pooyan video arcade game, on this show.

As a STARCADE! champion, Don was invited back for a special STARCADE! show, an invitational, with 4 former STARCADE! contestants competing against each other.

Don tells us he is still a Police Officer, making Sergeant in '93. The question to every Starcader's question is: Yes, he still has the Pooyan video arcade he won on the show." According to Don, "Pooyan left home for a few years to go to college (with Don's son) and has now returned home but hasn't let its new 'learned state' affect its game play."

After his first show, Don wrote us a letter to tell us how his STARCADE! experience began "...It all started that Friday afternoon when I was reading about STARCADE! in the (local newspaper). After debating it in my mind for a few minutes, I decided 'what the heck' and called to 'give it a try.' After talking with Marie (STARCADE! Contestant Coordinator), I was beginning to feel better about trying out. As I progressed through each audition, I asked myself, 'How can I be successful on a video game show when I hardly ever played them before?' I overcame this with the support given to me by my wife and my partner at work.

"The day came and I was ready ... After the show I was a mile high and I'm still up there. I am really looking forward to receiving the Texas computer and all my friends and neighbors are looking forward to playing Pooyan (the video arcade game he won) at my home. It was a real pleasure working with all of you and the enjoyment of just being on TV was fun ... it was an experience I will never forget."