Robert Sperry's Cornhole Biography

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".

Jay Corley

I am Jay Corley 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. My younger brother Matthew introduced me to cornhole, and we began playing in the backyard for fun until I started losing. Things got competitive, which led to the search for local tournaments. I attended a tournament with my uncle and quickly realized that I needed to practice, practice, practice! Fast forward a year later, and I was traveling and playing seemingly every weekend with Matthew. We played a season together on the circuit finishing in the top 20 before he attended college to play baseball. The following season I partnered up with Tyler Poythress and we had instant success, winning two nationwide events and placing in several large cash tournaments. Tyler and I are currently still partners and having success in the ACL. Tyler and I won the Advanced Doubles division in St. Louis MO, won our Advanced Doubles bracket in Ft. Lauderdale FL, and finished 2nd in our bracket to Jimmy McGuffin and Josh Lunsford in Pro Doubles in Maricopa, AZ. Jenkins Real Estate Group, Allison Davis at George Mason Mortgage LLC, Southeast Clean Air Solutions, & Tailgate Nation - THANK YOU for your continued support!

Mike Kitzmiller

I am Mike Kitzmiller ACL Pro from the MidEast Conference and this is my story of how and when I started playing cornhole and worked my way up to an ACL Pro. Started playing tailgates 10 yrs ago slowly got involved with local tourneys!!! 5 yrs ago started getting more serious getting in bigger tournaments which kept growing more and more each yr and now entering the Pro Level is a big step and looking forward to the challenge

Ernest Monarca

I am ACL Pro Ernest Monarca from the Southwest Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL.

Found a local Facebook page having a league night and decided to join. Started watching the best players in the state of Texas play which got me started practicing. I was able to reach their level in 6 months and never looked back!

Austin Kipple

I am TeamAddicts Sponsored Player Austin Kipple and this is my story of how I started playing cornhole. Started off playing cornhole with my family when we would go camping over the summer then my neighbors Mike and Lea Kitzmiller, former ACL Pros, got me into the competitive cornhole. I was shocked when I found out how big cornhole was just over a year ago when I started. After my first blind draw and meeting the nicest group of people ever at cornhole, I quickly became passionate for this sport and only strive to be better every day.

Raul Chavez

I am ACL Pro Raul Chavez from the Southwest Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL.

I starting playing cornhole while at softball tournaments and figured I was good enough to compete in a league but boy was I wrong. We got stomped our very 1st league. It made me want to work hard and that's exactly what I did. The hard work paid off because 2 years later, I am an ACL Pro!

John Fuentez

I am ACL Pro John Fuentez from the Mid-West Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the ACL.

About 16-17 yrs ago we had an adult wiffle ball league in my home town. They always had boards on the side lines. Peaked the interest obviously. The older man that owned the land we played on was always beating up on everybody. His name was Ronnie Mac. He was the only one, well the only one I remember at least, with that perfect spinning flat bag. Back then I held the bag on the corner and flipped it. I was good, but inconsistent depending on how the bag landed. So after playing there all the time, we of course decided to make our own boards so we could play more often. Then it just became what we did at all family stuff and most weekends. In the beginning there was never a thought of becoming a professional cornhole player..... but look at me now. I love this sport. I mainly love the people. The cornhole family is amazing. Don't know what I would do without it. There is nothing better in life than walking into a tournament on opening day and hearing the sound of hundreds of bags hitting the boards.

Miguel Villa

I am ACL Pro Miguel Villa from the Great Lakes Conference and this is my story of how I became a professional cornhole player for the American Cornhole League. When I was in high school I used to play in my cul de sac with all my neighborhood friends for hours into the night. I Didn't start playing cornhole competitively until I found the ACL and went to my first National March 2017. I met all the regular baggers in the Chicago land area and now all come my mentors and all of them became family.