What would a nice day at Morrisville be without people outside enjoying the weather? Walking through campus, many things are likely to catch my eye. And with the nice days dwindling down, the wonders of hacky sack, or footbag, are likely to be the thing that rises above all others.

Benjamin Landers, the mastermind behind the footbag phenomenon at MSC has been footbagging for seven years, one of which has been solely focused on advanced moves. These moves are a series of tricks usually set to music and performed. But don't get too close, ladies, this footbagging stud has a girlfriend of two years and if the sport attracts any babes he "wouldn't know."

Landers, who hopes to perform a routine at the talent show at the end of the year, and another footbagger MSC student, Elizabeth Gage, describe a world of footbagging that I previously knew nothing about.

The IFPA, or International Footbag Player's Association, promotes footbag, as well as events and competitions for footbaggers all over the world. The sport has even got special shoes.

"You're not gonna be serious about footbag without footbag shoes," Landers said. The shoes are lighter than a normal pair of shoes and have "sweet spots" made with mesh to feel the bag on your foot.
Gage said she remembers a day in which a circle of footbaggers played for six hours straight and "migrated from Seneca to the administration quad."

Although I feel out of the loop on this widely-played event, my lack-of-knowledge didn't surprise Landers. He describes the sport as something people in the United States see as only for "stoners," and he is right.

He and his friends, however, are far from that. "Me and most of my friends that play are straight laced IT students," Landers said.

But for some, footbagging is not all fun and games. An MSC student, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalled a tale of being "surprise hacked." "He just hacked the dirty little bag at me and it hit me in the stomach," the student said. The footbagger then asked, "what, you don't know how to hack?"

For those of us who don't, this exotic and sometimes dangerous sport can lead to embarrassment and humiliation. When attempting to join in a circle of footbaggers one fateful day, I proceeded to kick the sack 10 feet from the circle, leading to uncomfortable looks from the more seasoned footbaggers.
I then slowly moved away, having shamed myself enough.

I suggest that more of us look past the stereotypes and kic around the ol’ footbag for a good time.
Who knows? Maybe the next world champion will come from our own Morrisville campus.