Lunchtime looks a little different at La Salle College High School these days, writes Marcella Baietto for CBS News Philadelphia.
Instead of students scrolling through social media or staring down at phones, dozens of teens gather in circles across campus asking a simple question: “Who wants to go play sack?”
Hacky sack is experiencing an unexpected revival at the Wyncote school. Students have embraced the decades-old game as a way to connect, compete, and unplug during the school day.
Students say the trend started organically, with classmates bringing woven footbags from home and inviting friends to join in. Now, circles of players can be found throughout campus, from underclassmen gathering spots to “The Pit,” an area popular with older students.
School leaders say the movement has had an unexpectedly positive effect. Brother James Butler explains that while schools nationwide continue debating cellphone restrictions, students at La Salle are naturally stepping away from screens on their own.
The game itself dates back to the 1970s in the United States, though similar kicking games have roots stretching back centuries across multiple cultures.
For students, however, the appeal is less about nostalgia and more about being present with friends before graduation and summer break arrive.
To learn more about the retro trend coming back to the Wyncote school, visit CBS Philadelphia.
