FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Northstar Backgammon Launches to Expand Participation in One of the World’s Great Strategy Games
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Northstar Backgammon, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, officially launched today with a mission to expand participation in backgammon through education, competitive tournaments, organized leagues, in-person gatherings and community building.
Backgammon occupies a unique place among strategy games. The basic rules can be learned in minutes, yet the game rewards a lifetime of study. Players encounter probability, risk management, long-term planning, and the kind of real-world decision-making that never comes with a guaranteed answer.
Founded by Michael Cashman, CJ Cashman, and Hugh Morris, Northstar Backgammon was created from a simple observation: one of the world’s oldest and most rewarding strategy games remains largely undiscovered by many of the people most likely to enjoy it.
Northstar launches with several significant initiatives already underway, including a structured instructional curriculum currently launching with a complete Beginner Series, Fall 2026 programming through Minneapolis Community Education, and an application pending before the Minnesota State Fair for a twelve-day educational exhibit, ‘Learn
Backgammon in Five Minutes: Strategy, Probability, and Play,’ introducing fairgoers to one of the world’s oldest strategy games through hands-on instruction and live play.
“Backgammon has everything — strategy, history and the social energy that keeps people coming back for decades. What it has lacked is the opportunity for individuals and groups of every age and skill level to discover the game without necessarily getting on the path to competitive play. Northstar was created to give everyone the opportunity to discover how they can gather, learn and form lifelong friendships through backgammon.”
— Michael Cashman, Co-Founder
Northstar believes the future growth of backgammon depends on making the game more visible, more accessible and easier for all to discover. At a time when so much leisure activity takes place online and through screens, Northstar intends to bring people together face-to-face through backgammon.
“Backgammon has a way of pulling people in and never letting go. Building a community around that feeling — one where players of every level feel genuinely at home — is exactly what Northstar Backgammon is designed to do. That’s the culture we’re building, and now we have the organization behind it.”
— CJ Cashman, Co-Founder
“The best thing about backgammon is that the joy of teaching it is every bit as great as playing it. I learned that from seasoned Minnesota players like Steve Brown, who gave their time and knowledge freely to anyone who wanted to learn. Northstar Backgammon exists to carry that tradition forward — and to make sure the next generation of players gets the same gift we did.”
— Hugh Morris, Co-Founder
A major focus of Northstar’s first year will be public engagement — introducing backgammon to new audiences through educational programming, public demonstrations, and community events.
“Backgammon has needed an organization like this for a long time — one that is serious about bringing new players into the game, not just serving the players already in the room. Michael and CJ know the game, they know how to teach it, and they have built something real. Northstar Backgammon is exactly what this
community needs. I hope people all over the world copy this initiative.”
— Phil Simborg, Internationally Recognized Backgammon Instructor and USBGF Teaching Professional
“Growing the game starts with building the right infrastructure for new players — and that is precisely what Northstar Backgammon has done. Northstar fills a role that has been waiting to be filled, and I am very pleased to support what Michael, CJ, Hugh, and their team are building.”
— John Pirner, President and Executive Director, United States Backgammon Foundation
The Northstar website, northstarbackgammon.com, is now live. Visitors can learn about programming, events, competitive tournaments, organized leagues, educational offerings and ways to support Northstar and its mission. For those who have never touched a backgammon board, as well as those who have played for decades, Northstar will provide a welcoming and fun community for learning, teaching, competing and belonging.
About Northstar Backgammon
Northstar Backgammon is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to growing the game of backgammon through education, instruction, community-building, and public outreach. Based in Minnesota, Northstar seeks to create welcoming pathways into the game for players of all ages and skill levels while supporting the long-term growth of the backgammon community. Donations are fully tax-deductible. To donate or get involved, visit northstarbackgammon.com.
Media Contact
Michael Cashman · 612-619-2783 · northstarbackgammon@gmail.com
CJ Cashman · 612-716-2523 · northstarbackgammon@gmail.com