Maybe you’ve engaged in a game of cornhole during a casual gathering in someone’s backyard, or at a pre-game tailgate before a college or professional football match.
There has even been a professional league that has been broadcasted on ESPN.
Now, it is set to become a recognized collegiate sport.
Jaxson Remmick and Gavin Hamann, both high school seniors, have recently signed letters of intent to join the cornhole team at Winthrop University, a Division I institution located in North Carolina.
Remmick expressed his surprise, stating, “I never anticipated that cornhole would lead me to this point. It’s been quite a journey, and this is truly amazing.”
These two individuals are the first student athletes to commit to a university for the purpose of playing cornhole. They have achieved the title of two-time Cornhole League High School National champions and are highly regarded, being considered five-star prospects.
According to The Washington Post, the scholarships they have received will cover fifty percent of their tuition fees.
Hamann shared his story, explaining, “Two and a half years ago, I started attending league nights at a local bar with my parents. I gradually improved, and now I find myself as the first-ever 5-star Division I recruit.”
During the recruitment process, Winthrop coach Dusty Thompson recognized the exceptional skills possessed by this duo and believed that they could contribute to building a dominant program. Thompson mentioned that they have defeated ten professional players, including the world champions from the past two years. The cornhole team at Winthrop currently operates at the club level, as it is not officially recognized by the NCAA. However, they do participate in tournaments organized by other associations.
Cornhole has experienced a surge in popularity over the past decade, transforming from a simple backyard game played among friends to a televised tournament. In August 2023, over 180,000 viewers tuned in to watch the American Cornhole League Single World Championships on ESPN.
Expressing his astonishment, Hamann remarked to KUSA, “I’m shocked, just like everyone else. It’s unbelievable. It’s groundbreaking, it’s innovative, and it’s making history.”
According to the Source deadspin.com