Head Honcho Bruce Guettich talks about school tours and performances:
Outfitted with survival gear over the top of our touring team
warm-up suits, Peter Shunny and I were transported by bush plane over
hundreds of miles across the frozen Alaskan tundra from school to school.
We would land on a dirt runway, be picked up and put in the back of a 20
year old pickup truck, paraded through a village of a few hundred people living at a subsistence level, and then dropped at the door of a school
awaiting our performance and clinics. It’s hard to imagine a community
where no roads lead to the outside world. The only way in or out would be
by plane or in some cases only a river or the ocean could take you out.
What an amazing state with amazing people. Truly the land of extremes.
If you’re like me, going back to school after a summer break was half
torture, half excitement. The torture was usually centered on the
realization that my time would now be seriously compromised by homework
and attending class. The excitement was always about seeing my classmates
again and reconnecting our friendships.
After I graduated, and moved into my profession with footbag, I found my
way back into schools as a performer and teacher of the sport. I’ve had
some unforgettable experiences with a host of wonderful touring partners.
I’ve performed at schools in Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada and in
almost every state in the US, but I’d have to say that the highlight of my
school touring career was that 10-day tour to the interior of Alaska in the middle of winter.
For more than twenty years, the back-to-school time signaled World
Footbag’s start to another footbag touring season for our teams. Vehicle
preparation, scheduling, training, outfitting and calming the nerves of
rookie touring teams consumed our days in late August and early September
before sending our guys off on their footbag crusades across the country.
Throughout the ’80’s and ’90’s our school performances and physical
education classes gave footbag and this business life. Although we’re not
promoting in the schools at this level anymore, the memories always seem
to heat up a little when the leaves change color, the air turns crisp and
yellow buses hit the streets.
It is with deep appreciation and admiration that I would like to send out
a special acknowledgement, and thank you to all the past World Footbag
Association touring pros. The players listed below have helped to pioneer
our sport and they have contributed greatly to its continued prosperity.
Beeal Bethurum
Jimmy Caveney
Scott Cleere
Greg Cortopassi
Mark Defilippo
Chris Donofrio
Andrew Gunn
Jeff Hass
Philo K. Holland III
Mag Hughes
Paul Hunley
Jeff “Animal” Johnson
Jon Lind
Scott Milne
Randy Nelson
Allan Petersen
Rippin Rick Reese
Dave Robinson
Peter Shunny
David Yevin
Dan Zahner
May your school year, your children’s or your grandchildren’s be filled
with success and plenty of kicking breaks.
Be passionate and stay healthy,
Bruce Guettich
World Footbag President
