How long have you been playing paintball and how did you get started?

13 Years.  I used to walk to a donut shop near AZ Indoor with my Mom and brothers every Tuesday, and was always fascinated by the idea of shooting people with paint.  When I was old enough to get a job reffing soccer, my older brother and I went and bought Stingrays at Fleet Farm to shoot each other up out in our woods.  Ever since that I’ve been hooked.  Until 2 years ago the majority of my time, energy, and income went into the sport.

What was paintball like back when you started, and how has it changed for you over the years?

Back then it was lower key.  Money was tight as a 10 year old, so 200 balls and 9 ounces of co2 had to make for a day of play, which wasn’t a problem with 2 or 4 guys playing in 10 acres of forest.  Over the years the introduction of higher technology guns and gear, new places to play, and the funding to do so at a higher level has changed the game into a faster, more competitive sport.  I have seen many new faces come into the sport and many of the players I grew up with leave, each for their own reasons.

Why do you play paintball?

Paintball is where I fit into this world.  It’s the place where most of my friendships have been founded, and the place where I can be myself.  It’s the place where I’m most able to exercise my competitive and athletic nature.  It’s what I live to do.

What do people say when you tell them that you play paintball?

The majority of people picture paintball as a bunch of camouflaged hooligans running around in the woods with sniper rifles and machine guns.  More often than not when I become involved in a conversation about paintball, it turns into an educational session about what our sport truly is.

What is your home field, and what does it have to offer?

I don’t currently have a home field, but I have been putting in long hours and weekends helping setup Vintage Paintball Park.  Look for it to open up at the beginning of next season.  It will have undoubtedly the finest Sup Air field in our area, and what is coming along to be one of the most entertaining and versatile recreational fields Minnesota and Eastern Wisconsin have to offer.

What tournament series & division do you currently play in?

I don’t currently play.  I have played as high as division one, but am currently ranked division 2 by NPPL rules and division 3 by PSP rules.

What teams have you played for in the past? And who do you play for now?

I have played for many forgotten or nameless local teams, including Straight Up, Delirium, Lakeville High School, and the Farmington Tigers.  As my career progressed I played with more intermediate competitive teams such as Win Inc and SCP Factory, and near the end of my career played with Arcane, Air Assault Factory, and unfortunately Time Machine.

How often do you practice per week and how far do you have to travel to practice?

When I still played I practiced once or twice a week, and traveled wherever I had to be to practice with the team I was playing for at the time.

What was your greatest achievement so far in your paintball career? What events have you won?

I have won many local events not worth mentioning, but never anything big.  My greatest achievement has to be getting my picture on the cover of PB2X Magazine, although I seem to be better known these days for my banishment from all APPA events until the year 3012.

What was the best prize package you’ve ever won?

At a rookie Polar Bear 3man we won 3 harnesses, 3 68/3000 tanks, and 10 cases of paint, along with a box of pods, swabs, and if I recall correctly a 24 pack of Pepsi or Mountain Dew.

What is your best memory in paintball?

There are so many great on the field memories that I’m not even willing to pick just one, but the most important thing I carry with me today is not the memories, it is the friends I have made and the relationships I’ve developed throughout my years playing.

What keeps you playing paintball?

I no longer play more than the occasional practice, tournament, or reservation group, but I will always return for the occasional day of play for the simple joy of competing and for the fun of the game itself.

What gun do you use, and why do you like it?

My all time favorite gun is a Flatline Autococker with a pump kit.  I use it because in the woods it gives inexperienced players a chance to compete with their rental or low end gun.  It is also by far the single most accurate gun ever made, and it is far more thrilling to shoot somebody with one well placed shot than with a barrage of paintbullets.

What suggestions do you have for new players?

Field awareness is the most important part of the game.  Any decent player can play a bunker tight and gunbattle, but how you read and understand the game is what sets one player above the next.  Many would argue that teamwork is more important, but teamwork is useless without, and increased by a good read of what is happening.  The best way to achieve better awareness is to practice, practice, practice.  The more time you spend on the field, the more second nature understanding it becomes.  Also spend time at the field not playing.  You learn things that you would never learn playing by involving yourself in other ways.  Go to tournaments and practices to watch games.  Ref a local tournament.  Show up early to your next tournament and ask a more experienced player to walk the field with you.  Attend other team’s practices.  Run drills instead of just scrimmaging.  All of these things will teach you things that you cannot learn anywhere else, and will serve to make you a better player.

Describe your style of play on the field.

I’m a utility player.  I can play any position (because I have spent time and done work practicing all of them), and play whatever style of play is necessary for the team I am playing with and the task at hand.

Are there any people who have been influential on your playing style? Who are they and how have they impacted your game?

There are many players who have influenced the way I play.  Most of them are nameless players whom I’ve watched, played with, or played against.  Every time you are at a field or talking to a paintball player is a learning opportunity, so pick up whatever you can any time you are at the field.  If I had to pick the one person that most influenced myself, it would be Greg Scott.  He’s the player that gave me the first push in the right direction.

What do you think your greatest strength in paintball is? What do you need improvement on?

My greatest strength is adaptability.  The thing I most need to work on is my dedication to the sport.  Over the last 2 years other things have become more important, and my drive to play paintball is lacking.

What position do you currently play on the field? Why do you think your team has placed you in that role?

More often than not I am stuck in the snake, my least favorite spot on the field.  I think I end up there because there are so few strong snake players in this state, but I prefer to play up the gut or in a corner because I believe I am able to better support the rest of me team and adapt to situational play from those locations.

What do you think needs to happen in Minnesota to develop divisional teams that will be able to compete nationally?

There are lots of things that need to change, but the thing that I believe would help most is the way local tournaments operate.  The way players are ranked seriously hinders the advancement of the sport, as so many top notch players are able to live in the lower divisions, making it difficult for new players and teams to get into the sport, and with players burning out faster than they are willing and able to come into the sport, our growth is limited.  Also the prize packages at tournaments need to be changed.  Rookie divisions should give away prizes such as paint and low end gear, because the players playing in that division should be new enough to still have a need for the basics.  Advanced divisions should give away cash prizes as much as possible, so that players have a reason to play higher divisions, making it more fun for beginning teams and players to play in the lower divisions, thus allowing more teams to compete.

Outside of paintball, what do you do for a living?

I currently work for Fry Construction and Remodeling as the contractor’s (also a Minnesota paintball player) right hand man.  I also cook, having opened 3 restaurants and  currently looking for another new restaurant to help get on their feet.  I am leaving for the Air Force at the End of September, where I will be pursuing a career in Special Forces.

Finally what MN Paintball player (Past or Present) would you like to see featured next?

Randy Norcross.  He’s my hero.