Mitchell Tech launches cornhole fundraiser tourney

Apr. 24—MITCHELL — Cornhole is usually reserved for barbecues, parties, or as a time-killer on the patio of bars, but competitive versions of the game have recently grown in popularity.

Bags will be flying at the World's Only Corn Palace on Friday, April 26, for the first ever Mitchell Technical College Foundation Alumni cornhole tournament.

When folks come out to participate, they'll be doing far more than enjoying an exciting, good-natured match. They'll also be supporting a decade-plus running scholarship.

The event, in conjunction with a silent auction, will serve as a fundraiser for the MTC Alumni Foundation Alumni Legacy Scholarship. Established in the fall of 2012, the Alumni Legacy Scholarship program provides scholarships to benefit the children, grandchildren, and siblings of Mitchell Technical College alumni. These scholarships are awarded in the fall to incoming students. Over 60 of these scholarships are awarded annually. The goal this year is to raise $50,000.

Players are invited to take their best shot during this new fundraiser. Participants of all ages and skill levels are invited. The goal is to have 100 teams vying for glory and prizes while raising money. Teams of two can sign up for $50. The only requirement is one member of the team must be an alum.

"It's more about people having fun rather than a heated high-stakes competition," said Nick Bakhtiari, MTC Director of Foundation Relations.

The event is being held in lieu of the annual golf tournament fundraiser. Bakhtiari stated the foundation had been brainstorming for a new fundraising event to take the place of the traditional golf tournament for a number of reasons. Time, weather and space were all constraints, Bakhtiari said.

"By the time students could get there and the event started, it was typically 4:30 p.m. That basically limited us to only nine holes of golf before it would get dark," Bakhtiari said. "Plus a golf course can only hold so many people."

A cornhole tournament was an idea that kept popping up. And you can't get more perfect than cornhole being played in a building made out of corn.

The fundraiser will revolve around a fun game known as cornhole, a North American lawn game, in which players take turns tossing fabric bean bags filled with corn kernels, at an angular board that comes complete with a hole carved into its far end. Players score points by either landing a bean bag on the board or landing a bag through the hole in the board.

It's more than just a competition though. The event will be a full night of fun and camaraderie while supporting a good cause.

"It's a way to gather alumni and other supporters of Mitchell Technical College, to support students as well and all mingle together," Bakhtiari said. "It's a reunion of sorts — it's not a reunion, it's for more than just alumni, but it will have a reunion feel."

A reunion that Bakhtiari said wouldn't be happening if not for the help of Tyler Earls. Earls is the American Cornhole League Mid-North Conference regional director. Earls organizes cornhole leagues in and around Mitchell. Bakhtiari credits Earls with offering his support and equipment to the event. Earls will be supplying the boards and bags for the participants to use.

"It's a lot of work, a lot of unknowns and a little scary," Bakhtiari said. "Having Tyler's help has definitely helped it all come together."

The event will have team seedings drawn randomly, selected by computer generated software. The tournament will be played double elimination style. If the cornhole tournament continues to be an annual tradition, Bakhtiari said eventually teams could be bracketed based on ability. He hopes it is destined to return as an annual event.

"My goal is to have this be a legacy event, an event that can be held every year," Bakhtiari said.

Teams can register at

mitchelltech.edu/foundation/cornhole-registration/

. The event starts at 5 p.m. with a social hour. Bags will start flying at 6:30 p.m.