About Nick and Michelle Thompson
Nick and Michelle have been married for nine years and married to cornhole for most of that marriage. Starting as backyard players it didn’t take long for Nick to get hooked and even shorter for Michelle to realize she better get on the cornhole train fast. Fast forward to 2021, the couple decided to start running weekly tournaments in Oroville simply because there was no cornhole in Butte County and they were tired of driving to Yuba City every week to play. They quickly realized they were on to something when they had 60 players their first week and have had up to 130 on a Wednesday night. The Chico ER did an article on their quick growth. Now Butte County has cornhole almost every night!
Michelle didn’t hesitate to see the possibility of being on the business side of cornhole and founded a successful cornhole brand Girls Throw Too. Shortly after, The American Cornhole League took notice and offered Michelle opportunities to work for them. She started out as a commentator and DJ for the ACL at their events before leaving Girls Throw Too and the sister company Kids Throw Too. She now hosts two ACL podcasts (Around the ACL & Baggin’ and Braggin’), is the top reporter for the ACL traveling all over the US to do sideline reporting on ESPN and CBS Sports, and works in multiple roles in the marketing and merch department at the ACL.
Nick and Michelle are an amazing duo because of Michelle’s organization and background in marketing with Nick’s big personality and warm nature. The two have fun putting together thoughtful playlists that keep the energy high throughout the tournament as well as offer support and guidance to newer players. Tournaments run smoothly with their years of experience both running and playing cornhole extensively.
When not playing cornhole they can be found hanging with their son Rome and their two pocket bullies Koa & Sunshine.
The "DFT" Story
DFT stands for Dirty Five-Thirty (530) which is the area code in this region of California. DFT was founded in Yuba City with additional tournaments in Colusa. Nick and Michelle attended tournaments with DFT and loved the warm and welcoming community so much that they asked if they could create an Oroville branch of DFT. The founders quickly said yes and offered support and encouragement. Shortly after DFT added a Paradise location to continue expanding this incredible community to surrounding regions.