Matt Cross has been my biggest footbag influence by far. And therefore one of my life's biggest influences in the last few years-- I simply wouldn't be playing footbag if it weren't for him. Mike Anello also deserves a lot of credit for getting me into the sport.
Matt has given in a lot of ways-- besides teaching me how to freestyle, he bought my first pair of lavers online for me, called my mom on the phone to convince her to let me go to my first event back in 02 (and at that event, had infinite paitence with my inability to drive even though I was probably going to kill us all), he even gave me half of his daiquiri at Funtastik 05 when the blender ran empty (that was NO small favor, considering the man was on a mission that night)... to name a few examples. Oh, and he is singlehandedly responsible for the entire Rochester scene. That one was pretty cool of him.
Ken Somolinos was the person that first got me REALLY into freestyle. I watched him at PSTOFF 1 and couldn't believe my eyes. Then I downloaded all the videos I could find of him.
Also, I look to Penske and Scott Bevier for a lot of inspiration as well.
Matt Cross has been my biggest footbag influence by far.
he even gave me half of his daiquiri at Funtastik 05 when the blender ran empty (that was NO small favor, considering the man was on a mission that night)...
now I got mentioned too !!! I was hoping someone might mention me. I feel so honored
haha, re: daiquiri... that was probably a smart move on my part.
I think I already posted in this thread about my biggest influences.
Matt Cross is a big influence to me for his general all-around good vibes, and he's a sick footbag player to watch. He does a lot for the footbag community like many others who host, but goes that extra mile when it comes to individuals.
Oh yeah, and he's not afraid to drink a few daquiris and projectile vomit on the hotel room wall...