Groups:HOF
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Footbag Hall of Fame
The Footbag Hall of Fame (often abbreviated "HoF") is footbag's group of honored people that have contributed greatly to footbag's growth since 1972, when it was first invented.
The current membership is kept up to date on the footbag.org group (so check there to see the current member list).
Please support the Footbag Hall of Fame by buying Footbag Hall of Fame products. Go to WFA or Footbag Museum )
2009 Footbag Hall of Fame nomination process begins!
Footbag Players Worldwide,
The Footbag Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations for potential candidates for induction into the Footbag Hall of Fame's class of 2009. The nominations process is open now until May 30.
A forum has been setup for the nominations process at http://www.footbag.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=40512#40512
The criteria for nominations and induction to the Hall of Fame is located here:
http://www.footbag.org/reference/-/Hall_of_Fame_Nomination_Criteria
Please review this information before nominating players.
It's easy to nominate a player or offer testimonials or seconds. Just visit this link:
<http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cFZNUkVnbVZTUzBJdExNQ1F1TVRDTXc6MA..>
and fill out the form.
The nominees so far are: Jack Lentz, Bill Langbehn, Justin Sexton, Daryl Genz, Lee Guenther, Steve Smith, Dave Leigburnight, Carol Wedemeyer, Ted Fritsch, Tim Kelly. So, if you want to second any of these nominees or offer testimonials, then do so by clicking the link above.
If you want to nominate more than one person, please re-visit the form and fill it out separately for each person.
Thanks to all footbag players for respecting the sport's history and roots as well as looking towords the future. We look forward to honoring the players who have devoted their lives to footbag and deserve the recognition that the Footbag Hall of Fame has to offer.
Peter Irish, Chairman Footbag Hall of Fame Nominations Committee http://www.footbag.org/hof
A Little Footbag History
John Stalberger met Mike Marshall by chance in 1972. John liked Mike's kicking idea of using a homemade sack filled with beans. From his background in football , baseball, and physical therapy, John took the homemade sack and turned it into a specifically designed object. A "Hacky Sack", for playing a new game called "Footbag". The first round Footbag was a 2 piece design, similar to a baseball, and the plastic pellets worked ideally for giving the Footbag new energy with every kick. John then began figuring out the best coordinated athletic movements for this new game.
Emphasis was put on the study of the proper kicking techniques, and the correct use of the upper body for counter-balancing. Equal use of both feet to block the angles of the Footbags flight would also help control the Footbag and avoid injuries. These new techniques helped develop greater levels of concentration, coordination, flexibility, and strength. All of which are needed for any sport.
Not to mention it was fun and could be played by all ages, and skill levels! It was also realized that this new game could be used as an exercise by any athlete as a warm up, and/or basic training. They also envisioned that a sport could be created from this new game.
After Mike suddenly and tragically died in his sleep in 1975, John continued on with the dream. He started a Footbag manufacturing company called "The National Hacky Sack Company". This was the first company to start organizing and teaching the footbag concept to schools in Oregon.
In 1977 his friends helped him form a player's association for the sport, named "The National Hacky Sack Association". (The NHSA) The first ever Footbag tournament was held in Oregon City, Oregon.
Today, Mike and John's dreams have been realized. Footbag has become a full fledged sport that is played worldwide. Their dedication continues to be the inspiration for the game and sport of FOOTBAG. Footbag.org currently has over 1,300 organized Footbag Clubs in 51 countries.
