American Cornhole Organization
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports league |
| Founded | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. (2005) |
| Founder | Frank Geers |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | americancornhole |
The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) was founded in 2005 by Frank Geers[1][2] and is an organization created for the purpose of transforming the game of cornhole, often played recreationally for fun, into a competitive National Sport.[3][4][5]
Headquartered in Camp Dennison, Ohio, the ACO built a network of ACO Certified Officials across the United States to facilitate ACO Major and Pro Series cornhole tournaments and cornhole leagues.[5]
The ACO introduced standardized and sanctioned equipment to the game including ACO Star Logo Cornhole Boards,[6] ACO Soft Touch Resin Fill Cornhole Bags,[3] and ACO Governing Body Sport of Cornhole Rules.[4][5] Structure and consistency gave legitimacy to cornhole as a sport,[5] which helps ACO spread professional cornhole on a national scale.[5]
In 2009 the ACO introduced the PlayersChoice Cornhole Bag - a bag with a two-sided playing surface, which added complexity to the sport.[7]
Events
The American Cornhole Organization held its first ACO Nationals Championship in December 2006[6] in Northern Kentucky and crowned the ACO National King of Cornhole.[8] 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 in June 2006.[3][6]
American Cornhole Historic Markers
- ACO PRO First Nationals Championships to crown ACO King of Cornhole[8]
- ACO Introduces Resin Filled Cornhole Bags 2006[3]
- 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[7]
- 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's 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
- ^ Zandbergen, Rebecca (6 January 2024). "It might be a simple game, but cornhole is taking North America by storm". CBC. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Frank Geers". National Senior Games Association. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Cornhole Chronicles: Lincoln Ware Live Program". ACO.
- ^ a b Peter, Jeremy (March 22, 2009). "Geers is making cornhole more than a backyard game". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ a b c d e "American Cornhole Organization's Rise To Glory". SPG - Sports Planning Guide. 23 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Daugherty, Gina (December 15, 2006). "Cornhole crown at stake this weekend". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ a b Wartman, Scott (January 3, 2009). "Cornhole pros target '09 as year sport goes big-time". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ a b Daugherty, Gina (December 17, 2006). "Cornhole title's in the bag for Guy". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ a b Russell, Shannon (July 23, 2007). "Freedom to host cornhole carnival". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ Schoenfeld, Amy (August 15, 2007). "tailgate bash". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ "TCDB - Trading Card Database".
- ^ "American Cornhole Championships X". ESPN. 11 July 2015.
- ^ "SportsCenter Coming to Knoxville for World Championships of Cornhole X". Visit Knoxville. 18 June 2015.
- ^ "American Cornhole Organization World Cornhole Day Celebration in Bradenton Florida". Tampa Bay NewsWire. August 2, 2021.