Mike Kitzmiller's Cornhole Biography

Reuben Snyder

I am ACL Pro Reuben Snyder from the Mid-East Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. Like many back yard parties to pre game tail gating.

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!

Allan Rockwell

I am ACL Pro Allan Rockwell from the Atlantic Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL. Started 11 years ago at an outside venue called " The Knot Hole Station". Ken Parsons, Owner, got the group started. This is the same place Pros players James Baldwin, Harlee Culpepper, Ronnie Culpepper and Allison Heine played on a weekly basis as there was no other place around playing. After playing for months, the 1st time me and another player threw a double 4 bagger everyone clapped and roared out loud as that was unheard of. Played there for almost a year before I got in a National group. When $1000 cornhole tourney would come out on Facebook that was 4 hours away, we would go and before long we were traveling to all of them.

We are sorry to report that on September 29, 2021, the Cornhole world lost one of its “OGs”, Allan “Rocky” Rockwell, after a fight with prostate cancer.
You can read his obituary here

Mike Bechtel

I am Mike Bechtel 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. I got started in 2006 teaching cornhole to my P.E students. But it wasn't until 2014, after my mom past, I started playing competitively and have earned the highest honors every year in the ACL.

Justin Doss

I am ACL Pro Justin Doss from the Mid-South Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. I started playing cornhole at my friends house when I was around 10 years old. We would play every now and then against each other, but I really began playing when I went to college. I went to the University of Louisville and I began to play at tailgates. My friends and I are extremely competitive and this is where the love of the game began. I always wanted to be the best and began practicing at home to get better. I saw an ESPN broadcast in the summer of 2018 and started going to local ACL events to try and compete. The inner drive to become the best keeps pushing me to improve my game each and everyday.

Jimmy Youmans

I am Jimmy Youmans ACL Pro from the Northeast Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. I was first introduced to Cornhole at a backyard party and of course, I liked it and it turned out that Pat Knapp had a league by me.

Chris Caudill

I started playing Cornhole while camping and at family parties and gatherings. That lead into finding some small bar leagues which turned into locals, regionals, conferences and opens. I've played for about 10-12 years but competitively for only about 4. Had a couple close friends as my partners but my favorite partner to compete with is my sons CJ and Cameron. My wife travels with me to tournaments and is my biggest cheerleader and statistician. We make the best of cornhole weekends by camping near tournaments or being "tourists" in whatever town we are in. I've met so many people through the Cornhole community that are such great friends now. In 2020 we moved from Maryland (Mid-Atlantic conference) to Florida. We never skipped a beat after finding all he places to play Cornhole down here. Meeting Dave at Cornhole Addicts several years ago at COBS in Philly was a blessing not only for sponsorship but for a great friendship as well!

Tom Walter

I am ACL Pro Tom Walter from the Great Lakes Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. I started out like most people, playing cornhole (or "bags as we called it) in my back yard or up at my cabin with corn filled bags against family members. I was always pretty good at it so I joined a local league and then entered my first ACL regional where I quickly discovered I really wasn't that good. Sure I was competitive, but it was very apparent that I was not in the same ball park as the local studs! However, I became hooked on the ACL and with the regional competition and I slowly but surely improved to where I began winning or placing high in most of the tournaments I entered. I then began going to the ACL nationals to compete and became even more hooked on the game. I have been fortunate to be able to retire from my job several years ago which has allowed me more time to practice - and that certainly has improved my game as well. I am truly a living example of the ACL's saying that "Anyone can play and anyone can win".