It’s been nearly a week since the Cottonwood Institute’s tournament of epic proportions – the Cornhole Throwdown (a.k.a. The Throwdown). For many players, the adrenaline, sparked from the competition and fueled by prizes and bragging rights, still pumps through their veins.

On August 24, 2013 over 150 participants and spectators showed up, including 63 registered teams at The Throwdown. The event raised over $8,300 for Cottonwood Institute programs with STRIVE Preparatory Schools, which is a new record! Bohica Boards won first place, With Our Bags won second place, and Cut the Check won third place. A big should out goes to BJ Torres from Bohica Boards for donating his Mountainsmith pack to STRIVE Prep Sunnsyside. The donated pack will help one student continue exploring the outdoors after their Cottonwood Institute program.

The day was filled with warm sun and cool shade; a perfect summer day in Denver. Tasty food from Stoney’s Bar and Grill filled bellies, and refreshing drinks from Wynkoop cooled down players in the heat of competition. A surprise pizza delivery from Sexy Pizza kept energy high during the mid-afternoon. Several stereos dotted the spectator assemblages, keeping groovy tunes in the air, ready for a dance-off at any moment. It was a fabulous way to spend a Saturday, supporting such a great cause.

Now that the 2013 Cornhole Throwdown has passed, here are some ways to continue living (or re-living) the magic:

• Keep Playing Cornhole! Contact our friends at Bohica Boards and they can hook you up with your own set or you can upgrade to tournament worthy bags. Contact BJ Torres at: Basiltorres3@gmail.com or check out: http://www.bohicaboards.com/
• Start training! There are already plans in the works for how to make the 2014 Throwdown even better. What is your favorite Cornhole exercise regimen?
• Pictures! Check out pictures from the 2013 Throwdown at https://cornholethrowdown.shutterfly.com/

Thanks again to the 2013 Cornhole Throwdown sponsors and prize donors for their generous support and help in making this event amazing! When they do well, Cottonwood Institute does well and can offer more programs to serve more students and have an even bigger impact in the community. Please check out and support the following companies:

$1,000 LEVEL:

$500 LEVEL:

$250 LEVEL:

PRIZE DONORS:
AOR
Fox Theater
Founding Fibers
Mountainsmith
REI
Root Down
Scorzie
Stoney’s Bar and Grill
Uber
Vine Street Pub / Mountain Sun

If you have any positive or constructive feedback for how the Throwdown went down this year, please email Katie Craig at: katie@cottonwoodinstitute.org. Also, please let her know if you are interested in volunteering to help put this event together next year. Keep in touch and stay tuned for updates about the cool programs we offer to STRIVE Preparatory Schools this year!