After being abandoned for five years, the paintball club has officially joined the roster of club sports for students to join. Whether you have never partaken in any paintball activities or have had a history with the sport, club paintball is where you can gain a new passion or bring back a passion for the sport you once loved.
President Jacob Ihm describes why he revived the club, along with why the club remained untouched for years.
“I wanted to revive the club because it seemed very exciting to put a new sport on the market for people to join or support.” Ihm said. “The old club leadership gave up on the club because the president lost passion for the club and never renewed the board, and COVID killed the sport.”
Ihm described how he wanted the club to be in a winning spirit and to win competitions. The club has had a successful past of winning numerous national championships and tournaments.
“My goal is to create scrimmages with surrounding schools this fall and be able to go on traveling tournaments in the spring,” Ihm said.
Paintball club member Pheonix Simmons describes her experience with the sport and why she wanted to join the club.
“My experience prior to the club was doing training involving paintball in the Air Force AOTC, and I have had firearm experience my whole life,” Simmons said. “I joined this club because I thought it would be fun and allow me to hang out with new people and gain connections.”
(Fleuretta Phipps)
Simmons describes how she wants to gain leadership opportunities through this club but also be able to think as well as strategize instantaneously, rather than ponder her next move.
Club member Nathan Stanislawski joined the club to help his friend restart the club.
“I joined because my buddy was mentioning restarting the club and I wanted to support him while having fun,” Stanislawski said. “In high school, I participated in paintball as a recreational sport and I am glad to be igniting a passion from my past.”
Stanislawski is in the club to help restart it and is hoping to meet some new people, make connections and have fun with others who share a common interest in the sport.
“I hope to gain a sense of camaraderie with the fellow members of the club as we all do our best to live up to the club’s history while having a fun and enjoyable time,” Stanislawski said.
(Fleuretta Phipps)
Their first practice was Sept. 19, where they played schoolyard games in the Roseman Building gymnasium. You can see the bond growing as they helped each other maneuver through the set of games that includes dodgeball.
Anyone can join this club, whether this has been an interest or you have had a past with the sport. They have safety procedures such as using eye protection when using air-pressured markers, encouraging layers and padding, as well as having the members sign a club and field waiver.
Ihm stated how the club makes it more affordable than trying to go to a paintball range by yourself, with a fee of $40. The cost covers everything, including equipment. The future practices entail inflatable bunkers, drills for competitive games such as accuracy, sliding and dodging.
The club will be hosting a paintball event Oct. 3, and they encourage student support as this new sport already has 30-40 members in their roster.
