Dawn Rodgers

Shawn Smith

I am Shawn Smith ACL Pro from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. I started playing competitive cornhole in 2016 in the ACO and switched over to the ACL in 2017. In 2016 I also introduced my brother Ryan Smith to cornhole at the competitive level. During the 2016-2018 seasons, I never played in enough tournaments and wasn’t committed enough, to really see how good I could be. So basically, I never played a full season until the 2018-2019 season in the ACL. So at the end of the ACL World Championships in 2017-2018, I committed myself to play in 1 regional a month, 3 conference events and 2 nationals for the following season. I started finding time on my lunch breaks this past season to work on stance, grips, follow through and just getting as many reps as I could in 30 minutes. If I had a couple hours on the weekend to practice, I would get it done. My 3 year old daughter, 5 year old daughter and wife are really important to me, so I couldn’t commit to more tournaments than I did. I still was able to finish ranked #103 in the nation overall (without maxing out in local points) for this past season and proved as an advanced player, I can throw with the pros and anyone ranked top #160 in the nation.

Eric Ryder

I am ACL Pro Eric Ryder from the Carolina Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. Back in 2009 I was invited to a friends house for a cookout. He had some cornhole boards made and pulled them out and explained the game to me. I had never heard of cornhole prior to that day. We played all afternoon and I was hooked. I bought my first set of 2x4/plywood Red Sox boards with corn bags and started playing in the neighborhood with neighbors. Soon heard about a tournament that Trey and I would play in and get our butts handed to us. We met some good players and learned about throwing a flat bag and resin bags and how there were tournaments every week in the area. It was at that point I knew this was a game I would be playing for a very long time.

Logan Bakner

I am ACL Pro Logan Bakner from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro.  I first picked up a bag 3 years ago at a friends house during a picnic. Played off and on. Then, in the beginning of 2018, I started playing competitively and played almost every weekend since.

Stacia Pugh

I am Stacia Pugh ACL Pro from the Mid-East Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro.

My name is Stacia Pugh and I'm an ACL Pro and the number one ranked female in the nation.

Cornhole was introduced to me about 9 years ago at a family cookout, and after a few weeks of my dad incessantly trash talking me and winning game after game

Stacia's Dad: Did you bring your toothbrush?
Stacia: ummm.. no. Was I supposed to sleep over or someth.... ?
Stacia's Dad: Cuz it's BED TIME!
*4th bag goes in the hole for the win*
Stacia: you fricker... *grumble grumble*

So enough was enough and I decided to get my own set of boards and start practicing secretly so I could put an end to it. Once I was finally giving him some good games, it was too late.. I was hooked. And when I learned there were actually cornhole leagues and cornhole tournaments I swear I was never so excited. I had to try. :)

This lead to me the Cleveland Cornhole League and Dave Weiser, who at the time, was arguably the top player in Cleveland. My neighbor, Ron Weiss, and I fought through the ranks and eventually got to Division I and even began winning it. Later I teamed up with Christine Papcke and we began competing in national events together. In 2015, we achieved Team of the Year and many Women's titles.

In August 2018, after 20 years utilizing my Master's Degree in Urban Planning & Development, I actually left my job to go full-time cornhole (and chess as well; my 2nd favorite passion). Now I travel the country playing cornhole, playing chess, teaching chess, working as a tournament director and doing media appearances for the ACL. I used to joke about living the dream, but now it seems maybe I am?

Queens Corner Cornhole Blog
Road to 1900: Chess Blog