Hacky Sack Experiences Unexpected Resurgence

NICANOR WILLIAMS/DEERFIELD SCROLL

Spring has arrived at Deerfield, and so has the Hacky Sack trend, becoming a common sight across campus. Whether it is on the quad in the afternoon, during the study hall in the dorms, or even during community time between classes, Hacky Sack is everywhere. Some fear that DA sports teams are becoming too obsessed with the art of  “Sacking”, speculating that some teams will transition into a group of full-time sackers and part-time athletes. Of course, only the greatest athletes can “Sack” at a high level. 

Hacky Sack is an activity where people gather in a circle and pass a small, filled bag of sand without letting it hit the ground. People use their chests, backs, and laps to “stall” the bag and then pass it along using their feet. Despite seeming casual or easy, “sack does not have a fixed shape and absorbs impact instead of bouncing, valuing contact, rhythm, and skills over strength,” Arhan Baharani '29 explains. “It is not a casual or arbitrary activity.” Etiquettes and rules are valued, and participants are expected to oblige. “First and foremost, no self-serve is the most important one, meaning you shouldn’t drop the bag for yourself to start the round,” said Baharani. In addition, like soccer, arms and hands are not allowed to be used throughout the game. “Hoarding” is, too, not preferable; instead, people are encouraged to pass it along to keep it flowing.

Like any other sports teams at Deerfield, the DA hacky sack is also competitive and has gained significant recognition. Multiple social media platforms and accounts place DA highly in the ranking. In April, The Sack Network ranked DA No.1 across all the schools in the nation based on factors such as popularity, comments, views on posts, reputation, and DMs to the account. Meanwhile, it is also important to note that its rival, Choate Rosemary Hall, came up short, ranking 10th.

But why and how did it become so popular? Julius Rauhs ’28 explained, “ I think what makes Sack stand out from other popular summer games like spike ball or football is the fact that its culture is all about inclusion. In a sack circle, everyone is welcomed regardless of [their] skill level. The famous slogan: ‘spread sack not hate’ does a great job at representing this.” Indeed, students gather in groups and enjoy casual yet intense games where skill and fun are equally valued.