By: Izzy Bernie

Hacky Sack has recently experienced a major resurgence online and at schools across the country, with videos of crowded circles and impressive tricks spreading across social media. To no surprise, this trend has made its way to Rye Country Day School’s campus, where students can be found playing the game during passing periods, lunch, and free blocks daily. 

Ironically, this well-known game is not actually called Hacky Sack. According to Upper School Director of Information and Technology Mr. Gillies, who has become one of the most recognizable faculty participants in the trend, the game is actually called footbag. 

“Hacky Sack is a brand,” Gillies explained. “Technically, the thing is called a footbag, and I guess the sport is called footbag too.”

Mr. Gillies has been playing since high school, and he has watched the game cycle in and out of popularity over the years at RCDS, but the current state is unlike anything he has seen before. Large circles regularly form outside during Z Block, office hours, and free periods. Similar scenes have reportedly appeared at nearby schools, fueled in part by the game’s growing popularity online. 

“I played a lot in college, at concerts, and throughout the years with students,” Mr. Gillies said. “But now there’s such a resurgence of it, and it’s nice to see people not using their phones.” 

For many students, the appeal comes from the collaborative nature of the game. Although impressive tricks often get attention, the biggest reactions usually happen when everyone in the circle contributes and keeps the footbag moving. 

  Mr. Gillies reports, “The energy when everybody touches the hack and it goes around a couple of times is so much more fun. The universal participation is what draws people to it.” Students agree that the trend has had a positive effect on campus life. “Hacky sack has been the highlight of my day, enabling me to unwind and hang out with friends,” said Christopher Estill ‘28, the Student Body Vice President for next school year. 

Mr. Gillies also emphasized the supportive atmosphere surrounding the game. While students joke around and challenge each other, the overall environment remains encouraging and inclusive. He even offered advice for newer players: practice on your own, pass the hack quickly instead of trying to do too many tricks, and focus on keeping the circle alive. 

Though the current groups are mostly boys, Mr. Gillies and Estill both hope the game continues to grow and build throughout the Rye Country Day School community. 

At a busy and stressful point in the year during AP exam season, the rise of footbag, or Hacky Sack as most students call it, has given students a simple reason to step outside, put away their phones, and spend time together.