Jackie Sayasone's Cornhole Biography

Vince Pacione

I am ACL Pro Vince Pacione from the Great Lakes Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. I first started playing bags when I was 10 years old. I played in my first adult tournament at the age of 13 and in that same year I won my first singles tournament. Over the years I just played in small tournaments until Chris Novy picked me up at the age of 21 and started bringing me to tournaments with him. Our very first tournament we played together we won and it just got better from there. Over the years I met tons of new players and even adapted some of my new throw styles/releases around those players. Now the goal is to win as many nationals as possible and to make a name for myself to show to my son when he gets older.

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.

Paul Hardie

I am ACL Pro Paul Hardie from the Southeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. Like everyone, I started playing in the backyard and BBQ’s. I always have been athletic and played all sports, then a good friend of mine Kevin McCord got a set of boards and challenged me to this new game and just kept beating my Butt. So he made me a set of Michigan CH boards and beating me didn’t come that easy anymore. I knew nothing about tournament CH and about 3 yrs ago, 2017, I saw a blind draw at a local bar called Mugs and Jugs (the home of CornHole Life/CornHole USA) and did pretty good in it. I also met some great people like Kevin Smith Jr and Tex Christman, who told me about the ACL and how they traveled all over playing and said I should come check it out. So I did and played in all Regional's, Conference’s and Nationals. But I did not play 1 competitive level game ever. I always played everything in the advanced level from the start and like with Kevin McCord, I got my butt whooped by them but managed to put together some great tourneys with some awesome finish’s

Brandon Corwin

I am ACL Pro Brandon Corwin 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. I started playing about 12 years ago while home on leave from the military. My buddy asked me to play some Cornhole with him and immediately I had the same response as many others when first asked to play Cornhole “WTH is wrong with you?” LOL. After figuring out what he was talking about I was hooked. We eventually started a blind draw league at our local tavern in Mansfield, Ohio when I finished my active duty stent. I learned very quickly that I had a hell of a lot of work to do because I was getting my butt kicked. Being super competitive in no matter what I do, I started training if you will? I would play in as many blind draws and local tournaments that I could find as well as play in the back yard as much as possible. That eventually got me to where I’m at today. I am a third year ACL Pro and 2018-2019 ACL Pro invitational champion. I’m ready for this years action.
IT’S GO TIME!!!

Eric Tscherne

I am ACL Pro Eric Tscherne from the West Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL.
From Encinitas, CA, Eric Tscherne is a 1st year ACL Pro. Originally from Twinsburg, Ohio, Tscherne graduated from the University of Cincinnati and moved to Southern California in 1999. He is a member of the Diecast Hall of Fame and Toy Hall of Fame for his work as a Hot Wheels Designer from 1999-2004. He is also well known for his work on the hit TV show PAW Patrol where he was part of the creative team behind the show and the toys.

Eric was introduced to the game of cornhole 7 years ago while camping with his father and son YMCA Adventure Guides tribe The Mighty Wappo of the Redhawk Nation. His passion and love for the game grew from here as he went on to host several charity events and tournaments while camping with this group. This lead to hosting events for friends and neighbors locally in North County San Diego via his 4 In Cornhole club.

In 2017 he started playing more regionally with Dirty Bags. From here his game grew considerably. Tscherne's game really took form in the 2019-2020 season. He was committed to playing top level cornhole and traveling. Covid 19 did not stop Eric. He spent the initial months playing many virtual tournaments and performing very well. As restrictions lifted, Tscherne came out hot and won his first San Diego Advanced Regional in June 2020, besting a field of 4 current ACL Pros and 3 more who would become pros for the 2020-21 season. Tscherne carried that momentum into the ACL World Championships in Rock Hill, SC.. He qualified on Sunday via the 1st ACL Pro Qualifier.
Tscherne is a member of Team Ultra having thrown Ultra Bags for most of his career. His favorite bag is the Viper. For the 2020-21 ACL Pro season, Tscherne is teaming with Andrew Robinson. Robinson and Tscherne have partnered in the past as both players were coming up. Tscherne has claimed a singles Regional victory in the 2020-21 Season and is looking for more.

Tscherne is married to a supportive wife Geri. They have 2 kids Madelyn and Roxton.

John Kitchin

I am ACL Pro John Kitchin from the NorthEast 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 cornhole in Philadelphia, PA during tailgates at professional sporting events. I was approached by a co-worker who was interested into getting me out to his local league on Tuesday Nights where they played $5-$10 Blind Draws. I instantly feel in love with the game and what competitive cornhole seemed like at the time. After I started doing well, I branched out playing in the more organized leagues & tournaments which led to traveling nationally to test myself against the countries best.
After 1 year of traveling, I found myself in a position to qualify as a Pro in 2016. After two seasons I made the jump to becoming an ACL Pro. I’d classify my years as an ACL Pro to be currently successful in regard to accolades but was fulfilled the most by representing our small section of the cornhole world and setting the example that truly “Anyone can play, anyone can win”.

CONGRATULATIONS to John for winning the 2019 Devour Man of the Year award!

Adrian Johnson

I am ACL Pro Adrian Johnson 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’ve always been very competitive in sports so when I found out about Cornhole, I instantly fell in love with the game. I loved how competitive it is but once I started traveling, the real joy came from all the great people I met along the journey.

Storm Hogg

I am ACL Pro Storm Hogg from the Northeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. When I was 14, my dad and I played in some quoit tournaments run by the USQA for about 4 years. One weekend we decided to try out a cornhole tournament. This particular tournament was run by an ACL director, Joe Harsh. We ended up placing 4th and ever since then I’ve been hooked on cornhole and playing ACL tournaments.