Wind Blown: My True Passion "Footbag"

Even in my younger years, I was always driven to follow the wind. One day in the midst of looking for myself, I stumbled across a small group, kicking a small bag like item. I stopped to watch... soon they invited me to join the circle. We spent hours kicking into the late evening hours. "Kicking" became my "schooling" of choice. Skipping many a class, opting to slack around campus and Austin with what I then called a "Hacky Sack," in hand. Soon I learned there was more to it than just a circle of fun and friendship. It was a sport and it's proper name was Footbag. Who knew!

I've been competing in Footbag since 1982. My first tournament was in Austin Texas. Soon after I visited my birth city one weekend in Houston, where I met John Stalburger, Mag Huges, and Kenny Shults, "Footbag Icons!" They were there promoting the possibilities and what an impression they and the sport of footbag net, made on me.

Daily, I still hacked around in college, at The University of Texas at Austin, finding regular circles here and there. Setting up a net when and where ever possible. Eventually, I moved back to Houston in 1985 and played net twice, three, four times a week and freestyled at the beach during the summers, where I met the man I married.

Attending festivals, school events, standing in lines just waiting, always with a footbag in hand, Lavers on feet...ready to play. I Eventually obtained a local reputation as "The Hacky Lady." My first world footbag tournament was in 1988 and I was hooked. After catching the footbag bug, I found myself kicking in every spare moment. Going to net training camps, and traveling around the United States and Canada to kick. I have had many great experiences competing against a host of wonderful friends and acquaintances, not to mention, great competition. Many of these friendships hold a special place in my heart. We share a special bond, promoting a sport of such great potential, yet such little social awareness. A sport always needing explanation and demonstration for the commoner. My hope is that eventually it will gain a positive reputation of more than "hacky sack for hippies," rather, the respect and acknowledgement of one day, qualifying as an Olympic sport. Footbag net combines great athletic skills in balance, foot-eye coordination, dexterity, strategy, etc.

I hold several Texas State and Southern regional women"s titles from 1987-2009. I also share the World's 1994 Women's Team Freestyle Title with partner Julie Simon and a World's 1994 third place Women's Doubles Net with partner Laura Creigh, as well as the World's 2004 third place Women's Doubles Net with partner Tina Lewis.

Since 1994, I've had three wonderful children. I am an Early Childhood Educator and an Artist. Footbag taught me the life lesson that "If you put your mind to it , you can do anything." I have been applying that theory to the rest of my life, and passing that message to my children and those around me. I have come in and out of retirement, and hope to continue doing so. Footbag will always be running through my blood, beating in my heart, and kicking in my soul. As life gets overwhelming, I can always find refuge in kicking footbag. Especially net!! Especially tournaments! Competing in Footbag Net grounds me,reminds me who I am, and what I'm capable of, if I focus. Here's a message to you: Try this unique and growing sport, keep kicking, keep trying, and never say "I can't "... YOU CAN!