It gained national popularity in the early 1980s, and Stalberger sold the title to Wham-O in 1983.

Is hacky sack still popular?

Like paintball, beezin' and rollerblading, hacky sack is nowhere near as popular as it once was, but it was never forgotten. Dead as it may seem, hacky sack lives on as a small but active niche sport. ... Footbag pros play skilled solo competitions called “freestyle” and a team sport called “footbag net.”

When was hacky sack cool?

The Hacky Sack—also known as a "footbag"—became a popular pastime in the 1970s. The sport was invented in Oregon City, Oregon, in 1972 when two friends, John Stalberger and Mike Marshall, began kicking around a small, handmade bean bag.