University of Missouri students are familiar with the common sight of Derrick “Hacky Sack Man” Fogle as he frequently practices footbag in Speakers Circle. While he’s been a classic staple over the past 30 years for MU alumni and current students alike, his presence on campus has recently faced restrictions from the university.
On April 9, Fogle posted a video on his Instagram, @h4x354x0r, announcing that he’s been having trouble with campus administration regarding his use of a boombox. He then organized a gathering for supporters on April 15.
“They have telegraphed the intent to hassle me and make me turn my music off, essentially kicking me off campus,” Fogle said in an Instagram caption.
Ever since the ‘90s, Fogle has faced “hate preachers” with a mission to drive him out of town, as well as discrimination from the university. However, when he started gaining an audience in Speakers Circle, it drove all the haters out of town.
“There used to be so many freak shows,” Fogle said. “The Unicycle guy, there were hoopers, jugglers, the textbook exchange gorilla guy… I’m the only freak show left standing.”
At the gathering on April 15, Brecken Carter, a first year student at MU, shared her thoughts on the Fogle’s impact on campus.
“Honestly every time I walk through Speakers Circle seeing him do what he loves, it makes me love life more,” Carter said. “He’s accepting of everyone that wants to play hacky sack with him.”
Despite the support he receives by students and locals when practicing in Speakers Circle, the university continues to bother Fogle.
“I really wish the university could just let me do my thing and not hassle me,” Fogle said. “Twice I’ve thought I had a ‘truce’ with them, that they wouldn’t hassle me unless they had a legitimate complaint about my music.”
Cody Garnett, a fellow hacky sack player and Columbia resident, mentioned that Fogle’s music isn’t disturbing anyone.
“I didn’t realize how much [“Hacky Sack Man”] has affected Mizzou,” Garnett said. “When weirdos like me come to a college and see weirdos like him, it’s just not something you see very often. It’s just such a positive vibe, dude, and for the music – he’s not playing anything offensive.”
However, it’s not lost on Fogle that he affects people everyday when they pass him as he says that his message is to share his passion with students and Columbia locals.
“That simple love of playing footbag apparently just really shines through,” Fogle said. “The most common thing people tell me is some version of my presence can brighten their day. The message I have to deliver is so simple and so powerful, it can be communicated in a single glance.”
At the end of the gathering at Speakers Circle, Fogle said he hopes the university will give in and quit harassing him and his use of amplified sound. However, if the school continues to hound him, he will go somewhere else that accepts his First Amendment right.
“There are fraternities and sororities and other non-MU organizations out there using sound amplification devices every day,” Fogle said. “Are they hassling anyone else about it? I’ve asked around, and the answer was no.”
Whether or not Fogle is able to get a permit from the university, numerous students and Columbia community members have praised him for his eclectic contributions to Speakers Circle.
Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Avery Copeland and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@ themaneater.com
