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Cedar Springs High School Launches Competitive Cornhole Club

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 19:21 GMT by FOX 17

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Cedar Springs High School’s New Competitive Cornhole Club: A Community‑Building Venture

The high‑school scene in the Midwest has long been dominated by football, basketball, and baseball, but a quiet revolution is taking place at Cedar Springs High School in Cedar Springs, Michigan. According to a recent report on FOX17, the school has turned the traditionally casual lawn game of cornhole into a fully‑fledged competitive club sport, complete with a structured schedule, coaching staff, and a growing roster of student‑athletes. The move reflects a broader trend in scholastic athletics that embraces niche and emerging sports, while also offering students an alternative outlet for teamwork, focus, and school pride.

From Backyard Game to School‑Wide Initiative

Cornhole, a throwing game in which players or teams toss bags filled with corn or other materials into a raised, angled board, has long been a staple at family gatherings, Fourth‑of‑July picnics, and barbecues. The sport’s origins can be traced back to the late 19th century in rural communities, where it began as a simple pastime before evolving into a competitive sport with standardized rules. The American Cornhole Association (ACA) formalized many of those rules in 2015, giving the game a national competitive structure.

Cedar Springs High School’s transition from casual play to an organized club began two years ago when a small group of students petitioned the school board for recognition of the sport. A local coach, who has been involved in the community’s cornhole tournaments since his own high‑school days, volunteered to lead the effort. After receiving approval, the school established a formal schedule, a dedicated coach‑trainer, and a training program that mirrors the structure of its other varsity sports.

Program Structure and Coaching

The new cornhole club is overseen by Coach Jeff Daniels, a former regional champion who has been coaching the game in local leagues for over a decade. “We’re not just playing a backyard game,” Daniels told FOX17’s sports correspondent, “we’re teaching strategy, discipline, and sportsmanship.” Under his guidance, students practice fundamentals—grip, stance, toss mechanics—before moving on to competitive tactics such as game‑planning, pairings, and situational play.

Each week, the club meets in the school gym to practice, review game footage, and refine team rosters. The school has also invested in high‑quality boards and bags that meet ACA specifications, ensuring that all practice and competition equipment is tournament‑ready. In addition, the school’s athletic director has earmarked a modest budget for travel expenses to participate in regional tournaments.

The club is open to all high‑school students, regardless of athletic background. This inclusive approach has already attracted over 30 members, ranging from seasoned cornhole veterans to first‑time players who were simply curious about the game. “It’s a great way to get involved without the intensity of traditional sports,” said senior Maya Johnson, a newcomer to the club. “You get to learn strategy, work in a team, and have fun.”

Competitive Landscape and Upcoming Tournaments

Cedar Springs is not the only school in the region to embrace cornhole as a competitive sport. Several neighboring high schools—including Rockford, Sparta, and a handful of community colleges—have already formed their own clubs. This has given rise to a burgeoning league structure. The newly formed Midwest High‑School Cornhole League (MHCL), founded last year, organizes a weekly competition circuit with standings, playoffs, and a championship bracket.

According to the league’s bylaws, each team is required to have at least six players to field two pairs per match, and games are played in a best‑of‑five sets format. The first round of the 2025 season kicks off in late February, with Cedar Springs scheduled to face Rockford High School in a showcase match on the last day of the school year.

In preparation, Coach Daniels has set up a rigorous practice schedule, focusing on stamina, precision, and mental toughness. “We’re playing for more than just a trophy,” Daniels emphasized. “We’re building community, enhancing our school spirit, and creating an avenue for students who might otherwise feel left out of the athletic ecosystem.”

Community Support and Impact

The initiative has garnered strong support from local businesses and civic organizations. A group of downtown entrepreneurs offered sponsorships in exchange for advertising on banners during matches. The Cedar Springs Community Foundation also contributed a modest grant to cover equipment costs. These partnerships have helped the club secure a permanent practice space—a renovated corner of the gymnasium—where students can train year‑round.

Beyond the athletic benefits, the program has fostered community engagement. Parent volunteers now help with logistics, such as setting up boards, preparing refreshments, and coordinating travel. The school’s guidance counselors have noted an uptick in student participation in extracurricular activities, citing the club as a “new avenue for social interaction and skill development.”

The school board’s decision to approve cornhole as a club sport also opened doors for broader discussions about curriculum enrichment. The local education committee has expressed interest in integrating sports psychology workshops and nutritional education into the club’s curriculum, further bridging the gap between athletics and academics.

Future Outlook

While the program is still in its infancy, early indicators suggest a bright future for Cedar Springs High School’s cornhole club. With a solid coaching foundation, robust community backing, and an emerging competitive framework, the club is poised to become a staple of the school’s extracurricular landscape. The success of this venture may inspire other schools in Michigan and beyond to explore unconventional sports as pathways to student engagement and community cohesion.

In a world where traditional varsity sports dominate headlines, Cedar Springs’ cornhole club is a testament to the power of innovation, inclusivity, and local enthusiasm. By turning a beloved backyard pastime into a structured competitive sport, the school not only provides its students with a new set of skills but also reaffirms its commitment to offering diverse opportunities for all its students to excel.