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The Footbag Hall of Fame - 1997's Founding Inductee's
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I was intrigued first and gave it a try. I had started hanging out with some old friends again, and had first met Johnny, then Mike Marshall. I was a sports nut/fan and was majoring in marketing at the time. It took Johnny's discussion of his theory of basic kicks, and how it related to the development of better coordination, and concentration to get me "hooked" into Hacking the sack. |
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What else were you involved in at the time?
I was working, going to school full time, and married, when I met John, and Mike Marshall. I got divorced in 1974. (not due to hacky sack) When Mike died in 1975, Johnny was struggling to find a way to keep the dream going. I visited him at the Oregon coastal town of Lincoln City, where he had moved to with a couple of friends. We hand cut leather pieces into a dog bone shape, then pounded out holes. We then counted the holes, and put them in piles with matching numbers of holes, then sewed up and stuffed the homemade hacky sack footbags, then played a bit. While at lunch one day I was sitting across the table from John. I thought... What if I was sitting with Dr. Naismith, (he invented basketball) and he asked me what I thought about helping start a new game. Would I be interested? I decided that exact moment that a chance to be a part of starting a new game, and sport is a very rare opportunity, despite not knowing if that dream could come true. I thought that a simplistic idea, such as kicking a beanbag, could have a chance, as I had witnessed people getting "addicted" in my local area already. I decided I had some skills to bring to the "game" of marketing this new game/sport, and had the passion to stick with it. I decided I was in.
Tell us about the history of you and Footbag since that time.
I was vice president of the National Hacky Sack Association, charged with doing the newsletter, membership, setting up demonstrations, tournaments, etc. for the 1st players association, up until the forming of the WFA. During that time, I was a guest speaker at the US national soccer coaches association convention, besides many, shows/schools, halftime shows with the NBA, pro. soccer, etc.... I did with the Hacky Sack tour teams until 1983. I coordinated the 1st fundraising events for the sport.. to raise funds for charity, and showcase the new game and sport to the public, including the 1977 Easter Seal Kickathon, 1st ever event in the game's history, and the Portland Neighborfair tournament for MDA starting in 1979. I was the sales manager for Pastime Enterprises, then Kenncorp Sports from 1981 to 1983. Major growth of Hacky Sack brand nationally happened before the company was sold to Wham-O. I started the Footbag Pioneers club, it's 1st president, which was formed by many of the leaders in the sport's movement, hence so many Hall of Fame members were from this club. I, and Kenny Shults, are still defending champions of the Alaska State Championships in Doubles Net, since 1981! I won the Beaver Open draw partner doubles net championships with Jeff "Animal" Johnson in 1984, before he became really famous! I willed him to stay focused, I played well too, and we won! There were no kids/ beginners in the tournament at that time, at Champoeg Park in The Oregon Territory. I was a member of 1st player advisory board of WFA. In 1995, I came back to help the sport, by planning and co-directing the 1997 World Championships in Portland, Oregon, and by founding the Footbag Hall of Fame. Both to honor those that had shown significant leadership in the sport's growth, past to present, and worldwide. I am still co-director of the Footbag Hall of Fame Historical Society, helping honor and respect the sport's best leaders, and maintain the sport's history. I am a sponsor of the World Championships and Hall of Fame and have chaired the induction celebration each year since 1997.
Where do you see the sport in the future?
Played to bigger crowds, more money and sponsors for the players and key clubs.
Email: Ted Huff
