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Hammy Pull benefit Sunday

Annual punt, pass, kick competition raises funds for Booster Club

Luke Graham

— What started with a big Texan believing he could kick a 30-yard field goal has now turned into a don’t-miss competition.

Starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, the seventh annual Hammy Pull punt, pass and kick competition will be open to the masses. The event takes place at Gardner Field.

Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. The $30 entry fee benefits the Steamboat Springs High School Booster Club, specifically in helping to buy new mats for the wrestling team.



The event started in 2002 when organizer Jim Miller and his friends were watching a high school football game. Steamboat was lining up for a 30-yard field goal when one of Miller’s friends said, “I could do that.”

The next day, Miller and his friends went to the fields to see what exactly they could do.



“We have so much fun doing it, we figured why not let everyone else have fun?” Miller said. “We figured we’d help the community, and who better to benefit than Steamboat Springs youth sports?”

Prizes include a round of golf for four at Catamount Ranch & Club, a putter, day ski passes and gift certificates to local restaurants, among others.

But the real prize, Miller said, is getting the winner’s name on the trophy and getting to keep it for a full year.

“That’s the true glory,” he said. “It’s like the Stanley Cup where the winner keeps the trophy for a year.”

Costumes are encouraged, and those who compete in them get a mulligan on their field goal kick.

In last year’s Hammy Pull, PJ Wharton kicked a 45-yard field goal in a suit and hiking boots.

To encourage more entrants, Miller said, they designed the competition around Sunday’s sports slate.

Miller pointed to the fact that Sunday’s early NFL games may be the worst, as the teams have a combined 3-27 record. Add in that last year’s champ, Rob Trask, who kicked a 50-yard field goal, threw a 60-yard pass and hit a 45-yard punt, won’t be there, and Miller said the competition would be wide open.

“Come kick, throw and run, and we’ll have you in your chair at 2 p.m. so you can watch the Broncos game,” he said.

For more information or to sign up, call Miller at 819-3131 or Scott Stanford at 291-9278. Those interested can also e-mail hammypull@gmail.com or sign up before the event.


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