Matt Case - February 20th, 2024 - 5:52am PST 

DENVER — Gavin Hamann and Jaxson Remmick, two high school students from Colorado, have made history by receiving college scholarships for their expertise in cornhole, a popular bar game. The duo, who began playing cornhole casually in bars with their parents, ascended to the top of their sport by becoming two-time American Cornhole League High School National Champions. Their journey from casual players to champions caught the attention of Winthrop University in South Carolina, where they have now become the first-ever 5-star Division I recruits in the sport.

Winthrop University's head cornhole coach, Dusty Thompson, views Hamann and Remmick as cornerstone players for the university's ambitions to establish a leading cornhole program. Despite the lack of official recognition by the NCAA, cornhole has gained significant traction, with the scholarships for Hamann and Remmick covering a portion of their tuition. Additionally, they are permitted to retain any prize money won in American Cornhole League events, a unique aspect of their scholarships.

Both Hamann and Remmick expressed excitement about the opportunities their scholarships provide, including the chance to bring greater visibility to Winthrop University's cornhole program and enjoy the financial benefits associated with their success in the sport. The move marks a significant milestone in the recognition of cornhole as a competitive and scholarship-worthy activity at the collegiate level.

Corn hole game - stock photo