Hacky Sack, the well-known American leisure game, has recently swept through the campus of Mater Dei High School. A newly founded school club’s main mission is to play this popular activity and get more students interested. Hacky Sack was originally invented in 1972 by John Stalberg, an Oregon athlete that was trying to help mend his knee. Little did this man know that he would help introduce an incredible hobby that would be played around the globe for years to come. The rules of the game are very simple: many players gather around in a circle and try to keep a small ball-shaped footbag in the air without it falling to the ground. Many students at Mater Dei feel this sport is an incredible way to invite others to their friend groups and spend time with one another on campus. 

This activity has become so popular on campus that almost everyone has seen students playing or has been playing the game themselves. Freshman Dylan Coulter is one student that enjoys the sport at school. Coulter believes that like any game, hacky sack has evolved over time and many different groups at lunch have various modifications that contribute to their style of playing. Coulter’s variation of the game involves two hits with your feet and a left handed throw. 

“It is just a way to have fun with your friends during lunch and other free time,” Coulter said. 

The history of hacky sack began as a non-competitive sport where everyone was on the same team. Within the last 20 years, hacky sack became widely played again around college campuses according to University of Utah’s Wasatch Magazine. Hacky Sack is now also popular throughout high schools like Mater Dei. With the gaining popularity of the game, it looks to stand the test of time for years to come. Students that had never previously played the game showed an interest in joining the club. Freshman Kai Cowan has noticed the growing enthusiasm for the game and how it has brought students together.  

“Some kids on my soccer team play hacky sack and also kids that I know personally, and it is a great game overall,” Cowan said. 

Freshman Jack Champion appreciates the sense of unity that this simple game has introduced, as he sees different groups of people interact. Because the rules are loose and the equipment small, it is easy to play most anytime, anywhere.

“If you have free time at lunch or in between classes it is a great way to see your friends and be able to socialize and have a little break,” Champion said.

Champion has hopeful anticipation for the game’s future. He sees potential in its rising appeal because it truly fosters a community and instills incredible friend groups. 

“It can really be used to create different bonds with students and really just creates good relationships between people,” Champion said. 

Some have said, the game of hacky sack really has improved campus life and helped students take a break from technology. This, paired with the recent campus beautification applications (See on ScarletScroll.com), has given Mater Dei a semblance of a college campus and fosters a sense of community within the student body.