Community Update

Known for creating havoc on the field
at Gillette Stadium, 11-year New England Patriot left tackle Matt Light will
once again cause a commotion this June as he hosts and participates in the world’s
largest one-day Cornhole Tournament. This year’s Cornhole Commotion, on Saturday, June 14th at Gillette
Stadium’s Dana Farber Field House, is expected to break the Guinness World
Record which currently stands at 288 players. In 2013 during its inaugural
year, Light’s Cornhole Commotion tournament
featured 256 participants.

This year, event
organizers expect more than 150 teams and 300 players.  Cornhole enthusiasts and families are invited
to come enjoy the Cornhole Commotion
record-breaking fete along with other festivities at Gillette Stadium.
The 2nd Annual Cornhole Commotion
celebration will run from 12:00p.m.-7:00p.m. at Gillette Stadium’s Dana
Farber Field House with the final four teams competing outdoors on sacred
grounds – the Patriots’ practice field. In addition to the tournament -
players, observers and families can affordably enjoy NFL Experience
inflatables, activities, games, novelties, face-painting, food, drink, water
amusements, raffles and entertainment featuring King Richard’s Faire cast
members both inside the Fieldhouse and outside in the enhanced FunFest KidZone.
  

Matt Light, an Ohio native, graduate
of Purdue University and die-hard Cornhole fan created this one-of-a-kind
summer kick-off event to promote the game of Cornhole locally while benefiting
The Light Foundation and its focus on youth empowerment.  Cornhole enthusiasts and tournament experts
report that Light has raised the profile of Cornhole in the Northeast.

 “Cornhole
Commotion created a huge buzz last year. We saw a direct effect on our
business as a result of Matt Light creatively promoting his newest fundraiser via
the media and social media. Businesses, non-profits and people looking for a
new social hobby reached out to us for more details on the game – and as a
result we added new tournaments, new clients wanting regular Cornhole play in
their bars and restaurants, and have heard from local Cornhole board makers who
saw a serious uptick in requests,” said Boston Cornhole owner Mike Rielly. Rielly
runs the Cornhole Commotion tournament
bracket, keeps his national network of Cornhole enthusiasts informed about the
event and works on logistics with Light and his team.

Cornhole is
similar to horseshoes. Players take turns pitching small weighted bags onto
wooden platforms with a hole, rather than using horseshoes and metal stakes. Typically
played tournament style with a goal of 21 points, a contestant earns three points
for throwing a “corn” bag in the “hole” and one point for landing a bag on the board.
The game can be played anywhere
- but only Cornhole Commotion
will take place where the NE Patriots practice.

Cornhole
Commotion will
feature more than 150 teams consisting of two players each– novices and
die-hards in addition to local celebrities, corporate sponsors and a large
crowd of observers make this a day to remember. Teams will square off on 48
courses in the Dana Farber Field House for a double-elimination tournament. Four
Cornhole Commotion finalists will then move outdoors to the adjacent
practice field area. The winning Cornhole
Commotion team will walk away with a $1,000 cash prize and bragging rights.
The three other finalists will receive $800, $500 and $200.

In addition to the tournament, the day’s festivities will include a
Taste of Patriot Place food concourse, a FunFest KidZone with Patriot
Experience inflatables, cheerleaders, games, dunk tank, face-painting, contests,
King Richard’s Faire players, musical entertainment; the 21+ Cornhole Cantina
with beer and wine, special observation areas for the public and players, the Ruger
VIP Area designated for Matt Light’s former teammates and event VIPs, and the
Cardi’s Furniture Championship Round. For the second year in a row, Southeastern
Regional Vocational High School students built and designed Cornhole sets that
will be raffled off to the highest bidders so that winners can enjoy the game
at home, long after Cornhole Commotion.  

Registration is underway for Cornhole Commotion at www.mattlight72.com. Current
sponsors include The Kraft Organization, Sports Authority, Cardi’s Furniture, Quality
Beverage, Boston Cornhole, Ruger,  a
local wealth management company and the 
Patriot Place restaurants.

About
the Light Foundation:

The Light Foundation was established in 2001 by 3-Time Super Bowl
Champion and 3-Time Pro-Bowler Matt Light.  Matt was drafted in 2000 out
of Purdue University and became the anchor for the Patriots Offensive
Line.  The Light Foundation strives
to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability and hard
work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist
them in reaching their highest potential. Its goal is to lead young people down
a path to becoming responsible members of their communities who are capable of
passing on the torch of leadership and achievement to their friends and
families.  Matt Light received the third
New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and in 2008
was presented the President's Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work
in the community.  Since its inception in
2001, the Light Foundation has raised nearly $4 million for various programs
and initiatives.  For more information,
visit www.mattlight72.com