| 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]
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]