About KICK!

KICK! started in 2002 as a way to make friends at a conference where I didn't know anybody.

I'm Anil Dash, a guy who's been blogging since 1999. Back then, there was a pretty small community of us who were really excited about blogging, and starting in 2000 or so, early bloggers adopted the South by Southwest Interactive festival as a sort of annual homecoming.

By 2002, I was a little bit intimidated about going to an event full of well-known people in the community since I was just a geek who hadn't really met anybody in person. So, I decided to pick the least intimidating, most fun way of getting people together, and stumbled across the idea of throwing a kickball game.

To make a long story short, the game worked. I was astounded by the turnout, and by 2005 (the last year I hosted the game), about 150 people came out to play, watch, meet, and just plain have some fun.

But most importantly, I made some real connections. Some of the people I met at that first game are now counted among my most dear friends. One of the earliest supporters of KICK! not only became a close friend, I eventually got the best job I've ever had working with her. Over the years, I've had the chance to catch up with many other KICK! attendees as friends, partners and peers. And Six Apart, the company that I joined, in part, because of a friendship that started around KICK! has even kicked in as a sponsor of the game.

So, maybe you've been the shy or awkward one at an event in the past. Maybe you're the kind of person who might be intimidated to go up to strangers and introduce yourself. Or maybe you're the kind of person that, you know, used to get picked last. If so, you're the kind of person KICK! is designed for. I can't wait to meet you at this year's game.