Friday, October 10, 2008

Cornhole for a cause
Cornhole contest raises awareness
By LAUREN MARMION
Staff Writer

Nathan Ferency, Midland senior, tries his hand at cornhole during Sigma Nu's first cornhole tournament. Admission to the event was $10, including the cost of a t-shirt, or $5 without the purchase of a t-shirt.

A History of Cornhole Official Start of the Cornhole Association The American Cornhole Association was created in the fall of 2004 by Mike Witton and his three sons after a family reunion in Cincinnati, Ohio.  According to the  Web site, its mission is to promote and spread the game of cornhole, to establish tournaments, provide a ranking system for players, to establish a standard quality of equipment and set of rules for the game.  Rules of the Game Cornhole, although also commonly known as bean bag, corn toss and bag toss, is usually played with two teams of two players each.  Each team is given four beanbags, or “corns,” of a specific color.  Teams stand opposite each other, 30 feet apart, according to American Cornhole Association standards, and with a “corn platform” in front of them.  A corn platform is an inclined piece of wood with a hole near the edge of the raised end. Sides then take turns pitching their “corns” at the opposite “corn platform,” trying to get their corn either onto the board for one point, or into the hole for three points.  An inning ends when all eight corns have been pitched from a certain side. Teams play to 21 points.    - Lisa Hoehn For a more complete set of rules, information about free membership, purchasing avenues or to play online, visit the Web site at www.playcornhole.org.

Sigma Nu’s first annual cornhole tournament, held on Oct. 3, brought more than 100 players to the Albion College quad.

“The competition was good,” said Steve Hall, Port Huron senior and coordinator of the event. “The finals featured two girls against two guys. Joe Garrison and Mike Hill won over Kelly Dowling and Kate Mahon.”

According to Hall, the fraternity decided to host the fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Inc.     

These foundations benefit patients of two diseases which are currently affecting two of the fraternity’s brothers.

According to their Web site, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc., (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer–driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

The foundation funds medical studies related to the diseases as well as finances underdeveloped areas of research; it also provides support through educational programs, training programs and support services. 

John Kobus, Lansing senior and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in Sept. 2004, his senior year of high school.   

“I think it’s great we decided to donate to the foundation,” Kobus said. ”They have helped me out, so it’s nice to give back to them.”

David Flack, Jackson senior and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in June, 2008. 

Crohn’s disease attacks the lower, small intestine and/or the colon.  Ulcerative colitis differs from Crohn’s in that this disease attacks the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. 

“This disease has really turned my life around,” Flack said. “I’m fortunate, and it feels good to be able to donate (to the foundation).”

Flack believes knowledge of the disease is beneficial.

“I can’t imagine (someone) going through everything I went through without any knowledge of the disease,” Flack said. “It’s costly, and that’s one of the things the foundation works on: providing families monetary and moral support.” 

According to Hall, Sigma Nu chose to make their fall philanthropy a cornhole tournament because the weather and time frame were permitting.

“We planned it earlier this year,” said Hall. “Then we decided that it (the cornhole philanthropy event) would work perfectly for Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, since Jon Kobus has Crohn’s disease and Dave Flack has ulcerative colitis.” 

Aside from the philanthropic aspect of the cornhole tournament, the game can also be a fun way to spend a fall day.

“Cornhole is the best yard game since the original yard darts,” said Joe Garrison, Lansing senior. “To be playing it for a good cause, to help two close friends of mine, means a lot.”

According to Hall, the event raised a total of $350.

“We definitely want to keep this going every year,” said Hall. “We are even thinking about holding one in the spring that would just add to ours Jesse’s Gift philanthropy.”