American Cornhole Organization
TypePrivate
IndustrySports equipment
FoundedCincinnati, Ohio, U.S. (2005)
FounderFrank Geers; Najee Lebde (Lebanese Variation)
Headquarters,

The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) founded in 2005 by Frank Geers is an organization dedicated to transforming the game of cornhole to a competitive National Sport.[1][2][3] American Cornhole Organization held its first ACO Nationals Championship, December 2006,[4] in Northern KY to crown the ACO National King of Cornhole.[5]

Prior to the first ACO Nationals the American Cornhole Organization held various organized ACO cornhole tournaments and events, including the Carson Palmer Cornhole Classic in Cincinnati, June 2006.[1][4]

The ACO introduced standardized and sanctioned equipment to the game including ACO Star Logo Cornhole Boards,[4] ACO Soft Touch Resin Fill Cornhole Bags,[1] and ACO Governing Body Sport of Cornhole Rules.[2][3] Structure and consistency gave legitimacy to cornhole as a spor[3]t, helping ACO spread professional cornhole on a national scale.[3] In 2009 the ACO introduced the PlayersChoice Cornhole Bag - a bag with a two-sided playing surface[6] adding to the challenge and complexity of the sport.

The ACO has a worldwide following through Facebook,[7] YouTube live stream,[8] and other Social Media outlets.

Headquartered in Camp Dennison, Ohio the ACO built a Network of ACO Certified Officials across the United States facilitating ACO Majors and Pro Series cornhole tournaments and cornhole leagues.[3]

American Cornhole Historic Markers

  • ACO PRO First Nationals Championships to crown ACO King of Cornhole[5]
  • ACO Introduces Resin Filled Cornhole Bags 2006[1]
  • ACO Introduces Airmail Box and Challenge 2007[9]
  • ACO Unveils ACO PRO Skill Challenge Test to Rank Pros Nationally 2007[9]
  • ACO PRO Jersey introduced at Easter Seals Tailgate Bash World Championships 2007[10]
  • ACO Adds World Ranking Points System featuring CornyForty - Top 40 Cornhole Players 2008
  • ACO Introduces PlayersChoice Tournament Series Bags - two sided playing surface 2008[6]
  • AC "Star Logo" Tournament Series Cornhole Boards star in Cornhole the Movie 2010
  • ACO Introduces - ACO Certified Officials & Sanctioned Cornhole Events 2010
  • Topps Company Official Cornhole Collector's Card featuring Matt Guy, reigning 5-time ACO King of Cornhole Champion 2011[11]
  • ACO World Championships of Cornhole featured on ESPN's Kenny Mayne Wider World of Sports Summer 2013
  • ACO World Championships of Cornhole featured on ESPN SportsCenter on the Road w/ Matt Barrie & Sara Walsh Summer 2015[12][13]
  • World Cornhole Day - last Saturday of July - Official Proclamation in Columbia, SC in 2020[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cornhole Chronicles: Lincoln Ware Live Program". ACO.
  2. 1 2 Peter, Jeremy (March 22, 2009). "Geers is making cornhole more than a backyard game". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "American Cornhole Organization's Rise To Glory". SPG - Sports Planning Guide.
  4. 1 2 3 Daugherty, Gina (December 15, 2006). "Cornhole crown at stake this weekend". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  5. 1 2 Daugherty, Gina (December 17, 2006). "Cornhole title's in the bag for Guy". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  6. 1 2 Wartman, Scott (January 3, 2009). "Cornhole pros target '09 as year sport goes big-time". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  7. "American Cornhole Organization".
  8. "American Cornhole".
  9. 1 2 Russell, Shannon (July 23, 2007). "Freedom to host cornhole carnival". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  10. Schoenfeld, Amy (August 15, 2007). "tailgate bash". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  11. "TCDB - Trading Card Database".
  12. "American Cornhole Championships X". ESPN.
  13. "SportsCenter Coming to Knoxville for World Championships of Cornhole X". Visit Knoxville.
  14. "American Cornhole Organization World Cornhole Day Celebration in Bradenton Florida". Tampa Bay NewsWire. August 2, 2021.
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