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The Footbag Hall of Fame - 1997's Founding Inductee's
5) Lori Jean Conover - "Toe" - I first starting kicking in 1973 when I moved to Oregon from Minnesota. At that time, people (kids) were cutting off the ends of socks, stuffing them with various materials like popcorn, beads etc. and then sewing them up to play with or just making a squarish kind of bean bag to kick. I had four brothers who saw it first and taught me to play in a circle. There was no thought of form or rules at that time. We played at parties, in the halls and parking lots at school, in parks...everywhere. I think it must have been 1974 or 1975 when I was at the bank and saw Johnny and friends kicking in front of a gas station in Oak Grove, Oregon (outside of Portland) I approached and we kicked for a while. He later showed me his design and told me how thrilled he was to see a female kicker. I continued to run in to him and through other friends who were involved as a real push to develop the game as a sport began. It was 1978 the first time I saw net play. Dave Hill encouraged me to come to Oak Grove gym to kick. He said a group of folks had reserved the gym every week to kick. As I walked into the gym, Mag and Billy Hayne were playing over the net and there were several of the top players there including Garwin Bruce, Ted Huff and Robert Conover (who later became my husband.) They all encouraged me to attend and play in a tournament at Portland State that weekend. At the tournament, Bill Hayne worked with me and recruited me to play in mixed with him. That was it...I was hooked. I think I hit every tournament possible in the next 5 years. Footbag was the first sport to really grab my interest. I liked to play...nothing specific, just anything and everything. Both the game and the people captivated me. I have loved watching this sport grow and spread across the globe. My hope, like so many of us who were involved early on, is that it will one day be an easily recognized sport like soccer, baseball etc. Of course, the ultimate dream is to see it in the Olympics. I think if we as a community want to see it get there some of the things we might do are: create opportunities in schools, parks etc. to continue to develop young players, hold events in public venues to increase awareness, look for and create opportunities for media attention, attract and teach professional athletes when possible and increase the number of events we have around the country and the world. email Lori: ljconover@comcast.net |
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| 6) Dave Hill - Founding NHSA member. Dave's enthusiasm helped become the backbone for the company and NHSA's growth. Played in every early tournament, and taught as a Hacky Sack Tour Team member. |
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| 7) Jane Wievesiek - Sellman - Jane was the first woman to join the Hacky Sack Tour Teams from 1977 to 1980, helping teach the new game to thousands via P.E. Classes and school assembly demonstration. |
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| 8) Mark Hill - Became one of first official Hacky Sack Tour Team members, leading the demonstration and development of school programs, as well as the new sport’s development from 1977 to 1979. |
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