Heather Squires Thomas: A Journey Through Footbag
From the moment she first kicked a footbag in 1983, Heather Squires Thomas began carving out a unique legacy in the sport of footbag that would span decades and bring countless joys and friendships into her life. Heather's journey began by the flagpoles on the University of Texas at Austin, main campus and continued in Houston, Texas, where she participated in her first tournament at Memorial Park. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a lifelong passion for a sport that would provide her with a sense of community, accomplishment, and joy.
Aa a student at The University of Texas at Austin, Heather's love for footbag flourished. Wandering around campus, she was always prepared for a quick game; with a footbag in hand, she sought out local kicking circles wherever she could. This sense of enthusiasm for the sport would lead her to form friendships that would transcend the boundaries of college life and become a pivotal part of her identity.
In 1984, Heather moved back to Houston, where her prowess and dedication to footbag earned her the affectionate moniker "The Hacky Lady." This new chapter in her life also brought love, as it was here that she met her husband, Scott. As their relationship blossomed, so did Heather's enthusiasm for footbag. By 1988, she was ready to take a bold step by competing in her first World Footbag Championship, an experience that greatly influenced her life trajectory and solidified her connection to the thriving footbag community.
Over the years, Heather has amassed numerous accolades and titles that speak volumes about her skill and commitment to footbag. From the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, she proudly holds several Texas State and Southern regional women’s Footbag Net and Freestyle titles. Notably, she clinched the World's 1994 Women's Team Freestyle title alongside her partner, Julie Simon, and achieved remarkable placements in Women's Doubles Net, further showcasing her versatility as an athlete. As she continued to refine her skills in footbag, Heather balanced her passion for competition with important life milestones, including raising three beautiful children: Austin, Avery, and Ashley.
In 2019, Heather made another significant transition in her life, retiring after 24 years of dedicated service as an Early Education Coordinator and Pre-K teacher. Though her professional journey shifted, her commitment to community service and teaching remained steadfast. Using her creativity and experience, she has evolved into an artist, and a ceramics educator, sharing her love and knowledge with others.
Footbag, to Heather, has been much more than a sport; it has been a life lesson. The sport taught her the importance of dedication and resilience, reinforcing the belief that with consistent practice and determination, anything is achievable. This philosophy has trickled through every aspect of her life. Despite coming in and out of "retirement" from footbag, Heather remains committed to her love of kicking, participating whenever she can. For Heather, footbag is a cherished aspect of her soul, steadily grounding her amidst life's challenges.
In 2005, amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Heather showcased her compassion and commitment to community building. She initiated a campaign among fellow footbag enthusiasts to provide footbags to displaced teenagers relocated to Houston. The outpouring of support exceeded her wildest expectations; she received footbag donations from around the world, allowing her to distribute approximately 3,000 footbags to those in need. It was a project that not only amplified her love for footbag but also reflected the generosity and spirit of the footbag community, which Heather describes as "one of the most remarkable groups of people in the world."
Heather's list of achievements is impressive but does not fully capture the warmth and inspiration that she exudes. A proud member and organizer of the Texas Footbag League since the early 1980s, she has worked tirelessly to promote the sport, providing media coverage of tournaments, coaching children in schools, and employing creativity in her demonstrations. Her determination to foster an inclusive environment for footbag athletes makes her not only a competitor but also an advocate and mentor.
As Heather Squires Thomas embarks on the next chapter of her life, her message to the footbag community remains clear: “Keep growing our excellent sport, keep kicking, and never say, ‘I can’t.’ Yes, you can!” This spirit echoes not only through her numerous accomplishments but also through her unwavering belief in the potential of others to embrace the joy and camaraderie that footbag offers. Whether in competition or simply kicking with friends, footbag remains an integral part of Heather's heart and soul, a testament to the enduring connections that sport can foster.
To those who have had the privilege of knowing Heather or witnessing her footbag journey, it’s clear that she embodies the sport's spirit. Her dedication to footbag, her family, and her community makes her a deserving inductee to the Footbag Hall of Fame, celebrated for her contributions to the sport and the lives that she has touched along the way.