Information on Bag2Brags & Registration

Looking to de-stress before finals week? Concerned about what the dining hall may be serving come the end of the semester? Just plain disappointed that tailgate season is over?

We’ve got you covered. The Sports & Event Marketing class at Columbia College is hosting a cornhole tournament before finals week. There will be prizes (gift cards to local restaurants), which can be great gifts or you can keep for yourself!

While tailgating and lawn game season may be wrapping up, we recommend you show up in mid-season form to make sure you win our prizes. Just a few quick details on how to sign up:

When/Where: Dec. 6, 5 p.m. in Dorsey Gym (Be there)

Who: We want everybody to be there, students, faculty, friends, but most of all, champs.

How: To register, go here → Registration

Entry fee: $5-$10 to benefit Pascale’s Pals

More Info: Check out more stories on our blog, particularly why we chose Pascale's Pals as the nonprofit organization we’d like to help.

Also, tell us you’re going to attend on the Facebook event page

You don’t have to have your eyes on the prize(s) to help out someone in need this holiday season. But hey, somebody’s gotta win….

Why Choose Pascale's Pals

Why Choose Pascale's Pals


Why choose Pascale’s Pals? Our future is created and determined for our children and further generations. They benefit the children and their families who spend a great deal of time at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Were you ever really sick or to had to get surgery and spend all those days and nights in a creepy, cold hospital? The long waits you had to endure before a doctor saw you. The boredom of not having anything to do besides watch horrible television that you can barely hear over the hospital traffic. Most importantly, do you remember the pain you were in before, during, or after your stay and the meds that barely provided relief?

Pascale’s Pals is an organization with volunteers dedicated to making sure those are not the memories a child has when you stay at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Many of ongoing projects they have include patient wish baskets, beads for breath, and therapy center parties with gifts. In addition, the MU Student Chapter of Pascale’s Pals brings many crafts and hosts different activities in the playroom for the young children to be entertained on their stay. MU Student Chapter also hosts a “Take Out Tuesday”, where they let the young patients choose what restaurant foods they would like to eat and then have that food delivered to them.

Pascales’s Pals doesn’t forget about Mom and Dad. Pascale’s Pals has provided a place for massage therapy for the parents to relieve their stress as well. Every holiday is celebrated as well so that the children don’t miss out. Pascale’s Pals brings Santa and many other holiday characters to visit the children on those days.

Pascale’s Pals works directly with the staff and specialists of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital who know the children and family needs. Currently, they are hosting a fundraiser to raise money for a new children’s playroom and adolescent room. This project will cost about $200,000 and they are asking for donations. So if you want to do your part in easing the pain and stress of the children and families staying at this hospital, then please donate or attend the Columbia College Cornhole event so you can help PP while having a great time.

Cornhole boards that impress your neighbors and upgrade your tailgate

Everybody can appreciate the time, effort, and creative brain power when it comes to something being made. That could mean literally anything; hand-made furniture, quilts, knick-knacks, maybe even a home. It takes expertise, patience, skill, and love of the art. Well like I said, anything can be the product of someone’s original thoughts and handy skills. Cornhole is no different.

Now, I know not everyone plays cornhole on the regular or may not even know what it is.  But it is a fun outdoorsy game that people enjoy and it doesn’t take a lot of skill to participate. It appeals to all; Adults and kids, men and women, drunks and sobers, city-slickers and country folk, the competitive and the recreational. But imagine playing cornhole on uniquely made, extremely creative, and well-designed boards. Sure, you can play on the plain un-stained wooden boards. What about the plastic ones from Walmart? Yea, those work too. But why take the wow factor out of it. Think you will be the talk of the party, tailgate, or neighborhood with these different designs

Now, these are cool. They are nice, bright, and show fandom of whatever sports team or hobby. Visually, much better than a plain front with no color or design.

After much research though, I found my personal favorite and challenge anyone to find me a cooler cornhole board. This is a corn hole board based on the Death Star from Star Wars. 

Maybe I am biased and I know my inner-nerd is showing but I thought this was the coolest board. The force is strong with this one...

Planning a Cornhole Event as a Class

Planning a Cornhole Event as a Class

                 

Planning a cornhole tournament is no easy task, as a class we have learned that following the steps below will allow you to plan a successful cornhole event.

Delegate

When planning a cornhole event as a class it is important to split people up into groups, so they can work on specific tasks. It is crucial for each group to work together and bring ideas to each other in order for the event to run smoothly.

•     Sponsorships
•    Game Day Activities
•   Promotions
•   Venue
•   Equipment
•   Food and Beverage
•   Marketing
•   Registration

Venue

Determining a venue for your event is one of the first things your class should do. Choosing a venue will help to determine a lot of other factors that go along with planning the event. Deciding to host your event indoor or outdoor has its pros and cons. An Indoor is a safe bet if the weather has a potential to be nasty, but an outdoor event on a nice day could draw a larger crowd.

When searching for venues, some suggestions are

•              Schools
•              Parking lots
•              Parks
•              Restaurant/Bars

Once your class has chosen a venue, you can now determine how many games can be played at a time, and how many people your event can support. You can also begin to think about how you can designate the space for registration, food and beverage, games, etc.

Sponsorships

Organizing a fundraising event can be costly. Although cornhole is a fairly inexpensive game, your class will still have to cover the expenses somehow. Choosing a charity to raise money for is a great way to pick up sponsors. Picking up sponsors is also an important step to in the event planning process because it will allow you to know how much money you have to work with. Knowing your budget will help you to plan how much equipment, food and beverage, etc. you can get for the event.

Marketing and Promotions

Once you have your event planned out, the next step is to create awareness and attract participants to attend your event. It is important to know who your target market is for the event, this allows you to choose what the best way to get these people’s attention is.

Ways to market and promote

•             Social Media
•             Flyers
•             Email
•             Word of Mouth
•              Sponsors

 It is crucial to work together and thoroughly plan out your event as a class. Following these steps and using some of the suggestions will help your class plan and execute a successful cornhole tournament!

Here is a video showing you the ACL cornhole tournament. Watching it shows you how a major cornhole tournament is set up, and can help give you ideas when setting up your own event.

Video

                  https://youtu.be/rL4WYLri3EM

                 

The History of Cornhole

Cornhole, bags, lawn toss, dummy boards, bean bag toss, hillbilly toss… call it whatever you like. Regardless of the name you wish to assign to it, this game of throwing bags filled with corn or beans at a raised platform with a hole in the far end is said to be the fastest growing game in America. Still don’t know what this game is about? I’ll let these guys sum up the hype around it to you:

For such a simple, yet tremendously popular game, one might wonder who came up with the idea for this game in the first place. Unfortunately, just like many of our well-loved sources of entertainment in America, you will not find a definite history of the game (bummer). However, there are some stories that attempt to explain its origins.

Some say that the game started its history in ancient civilizations dating as far back as the 1300s, when people tossed rocks at holes in the ground. Others argue that the Native American Blackhawk tribe in Illinois should get credit for the invention. They are said to have used pigs’ bladders filled with dried beans to compete in this fashion (that’s really odd, but major props to them for creativity). 

These groups in history are not the only ones to get some type of credit for the invention though. Perhaps one of the most popular geographic locations that lays claim to the creation of cornhole is the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. This cornhole-obsessed city claims that German immigrants invented the game when corn was in abundance there in the 1800s. Still, others say that a man by the name of Jebediah McGillicuddy should take the credit. They say that this Kentucky farmer created the game in the 1800s as well, as a form of entertainment on the farm for his family and friends.

Although there is no real proof of where this game of bags and boards got its roots, it still doesn’t change the fact that it is nearly impossible to avoid seeing it being played in all kinds of locations ranging from bars, to tailgates, to backyard barbeques, and most importantly, to tournaments…

Speaking of tournaments: Are you ready to become Columbia College’s first cornhole tournament champion? Grab a partner (check out this blog to find out how to pick the best one) and head on over to our website to sign-up for your chance to gain the ultimate level of bragging rights that CC has to offer. We want you to be able to make your mark in cornhole history too.. and don’t worry, we’ll make sure future legend plays it up a bit.

Just the Right Toss

Notice the impeccable mechanics of cornhole legend, Matt Jackson.

For years, I’ve searched the globe for the best technique when tossing a cornhole bag. I’ve tried the vertical-spinning bag toss, the horizontal-spinning bag toss, and the knuckle ball. I’ve tried stepping with my left foot. I’ve tried stepping with my right foot. I’ve tried standing still. I’ve even tried the two-handed Granny shot.

I’ve tried the moonshot, the line drive, and even the infamous cross-over, behind-the-back, between-the-legs, step-back, Michael Jordan tongue-out, pump-fake, and-one shot.

I’ve tried it all.

And here’s what I’ve learned.

First, it starts with preparation. I’m talking hours before the first toss. Like any great athlete, it’s imperative you show up to the yard early for mental prep and adequate stretching/activation of the wrists, fingers, shoulders, calves, hammies, and glutes.

A cornhole player must also become acquainted with the playing surface and seek out any unfair advantage he/she can attain. Examples include slightly lighter bags, a better background to throw against, and any sort of hill or divot the cornhole player could use to sabotage the competition.

           

If there is a coin toss, call “tails” because “tails never fails.” Then, it's game time. All the sweat, blood, and tears in preparation for this game has led you to this moment.


Left-handers: listen up. With feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, place your right foot in front of your left foot as close to the front of the board as possible (in front of the board if no one is looking).

Right-handers: do the same process … but, um, in reverse.

Then, without stepping, bend the knees, swing your arm behind you, and as your weight transfers to your forward foot, release the bag in front of you slightly above your waist so the launch angle of the bag creates an optimal arc around 5-10 ft.

Different players have success with different throwing styles, but the only way to find the best style for you is to practice. Most importantly, the follow-through should result in the throwing hand extended at or above head level until the bag lands (hold follow-through for even longer if you sink the bag so the competition knows you are better than them). Lastly, remember that cornhole is just a game. No matter the score, be a good sport and have fun!
Just make sure you win at all costs.
 

Using Competitive Nature to Win

Using Competitive Nature to Win

Who doesn’t love to win?  The answer? Nobody.

That feeling – knowing you just weren’t good enough – that comes with losing is excruciating. By contrast, that euphoric feeling when you know your skills and hard work made you better than your competition – is priceless. Everyone is somewhat competitive because it is human nature. Using your competitive nature, no matter the challenge, is what a winner does.

Students, faculty and staff at CC now have a chance to show off their competitive prowess. On Dec. 6,  the Sports and Event marketing class is putting on a cornhole tournament in Dorsey Gym to benefit Pascale’s Pals. Pascale’s Pals is a charitable organization that benefits the children and families that stay in the Columbia Children’s Hospital. All the proceeds from the Bags for Brags cornhole tournament will help provide happiness to children in the hospital.

There has never been anything easier to get excited for. If winning a cornhole tournament was not already enough, it also benefits sick children. The tournament is 2 vs. 2 teams in a single elimination 32-team bracket. The stakes are high. A true competitor should be ready for the W.

There are a few characteristics of being a competitor and using competitive nature to win that will help in the tournament.

1)    Practice. Yes, you need to practice to be good at something and to win Bags for Brags you and your partner will both need to be good. Your competitive nature is what is going to drive this dedication to practice in order to become the best cornhole team you can be.

2)    Perfect your swagger. Once Dec. 6 rolls around, you will have been practicing day and night for a few weeks. Now it’s time to channel your inner competitor at the tournament. Come in with some swagger – that game face – letting everyone know you are there to win (and raise money for Pascale’s Pals).

3)    Show no weakness. Even when things might not be going your way, never let the competitor see you sweat. Make sure they know it is your court and you are there to win.

If all of this wasn’t already enough to make you want to go out to become the best cornhole player possible here is some inspiration courtesy of Shia LeBeouf (published by MotivaShian on Youtube.com).