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

Been playing since 1999, thanks to my best friend Chris Woodhouse (it’s still all your fault!). All started in college with a group of my buds. My friend Chris and I got connected with a local field and worked as refs and got discounts to play. My first gun I bought an Inferno T3, basically a spyder. Yeah, just realized how old I am.

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

We were still playing in the woods and actually tournaments were still played in the woods back then. I still remember watching Bob Long and Tom Cole running through the woods. Speedball was starting to become more popular. I honestly hated the concept of speedball until my buddy Chris told me to play just one game…and I was hooked! As I look from then to now it’s crazy how things have changed from the guns to layouts, ramping rules, PSP drama with the NXL (you know what I’m talking about, lol). I think it’s extremely more competitive now. Plus, I shoot crazy amounts of paint now than back then.

Why do you play paintball?

Honestly, It’s my release from the world, job, work…etc. Each breakout I don’t care about anything but shooting my lane, making my move and then my secondary move…and yelling G-counts, and getting yelled at by AJ for not knowing the G-count. You get the idea.

Who is this AJ character and why is he so concerned about the Gs?

AJ was one of the original members of the FSL Factory team ZERO. He’s been my coach this past season and has taught me more in how to play the game. With that said he has drilled us into keeping track and on top of the “G” count as it one of the most, if not, the most important thing to keep track while in a game.

Do you try to introduce your friends to the sport?

Of course! I generally try to get them started in the woods as throwing them into a crazy Xball game right away usually will make them crap their pants.

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

Well, it use to be Northside paintball but unfortunately they had to close shop. For myself I loved it there, Vince made it very affordable for everyone but also I had a lot of laughs and made some awesome friends. As for next year my team has made some arrangements with Aaron Tholey’s new field: Vintage Paintball Park. It will be opening this spring and hopefully we can continue the laughs and make more good friends.

What are your thoughts on Northside closing?

I wish things could have been different, but it is what it is.

What is it that excites you the most about Vintage Paintball Park opening?

I’ve been told that the owner has contracts from Pro teams to practice there. I’m excited to get the chance to maybe get some coaching and more competitive practices.

What tournament series & division do you currently play in?

Currently I’ve been playing modified PSP local tournaments. I plan to play D3 NPPL next season.

Have you ever played a national event before? What made you decide to try out NPPL?

Actually no I haven’t. Some of the members on the team can only play NPPL, however, I would like to try a few PSP tournaments.

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

I played with Armor Up Paintball, most of us absorbed into our current team now which is Team Zero.

So you’re relatively new to the tournament scene then? How have events gone for you so far?

Yes I am. The events have been ok for the most part. The hard part is getting to know your teammates and how to play off of each other along with the communication factor.

Was it a tough adjustment for you to play tournaments indoor when you’re so use to playing outside?

The biggest thing is how loud everything is. You have everyone and their grandma shooting an Ego that’s as loud as a freak’in canon…doesn’t really help in the communication department.

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

Winter season has been at Air Assault (indoor) usually takes me 40mins to get there and so far it’s been Sundays weekly for me. I’m hoping to continue weekly sundays at Vintage Paintball Park.

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

I helped run and manage a paintball camp (Armor Up Paintball). I got out of the competitive scene and decided to invest my time into kids that wanted to play paintball and learn how to play the game…and have fun. We did this for 5yrs and had to close the doors. We didn’t do it for money, most of the time we barely broke even. Haven’t won any events but I’ve just recently gotten back in tournament paintball this year.

Can you tell us more about that? What got you into that? What was the organization’s goal, where did you find members?

Armor Up Paintball was a Christian organization that started with myself and a group of my friends from my church and other churches. We didn’t want to make this paintball camp a typical “church camp”. We wanted it to be focused on senior high age guys, do guy stuff, eat pizza, and shoot eachother. We had at least 4 members of the military that helped us out as well. Some were still active duty and others had finished their service.

You’ve been known to loan out your gear quite a bit, are you worried that people might break your stuff?

Ha, it’s usually the other way around – their stuff breaks and then I loan out my stuff to them. Everyone that I’ve loan my gear out to has come back perfectly fine. I’m not too worried, sometimes I will let a kid (rec-player) use my brand new Geo2 in a game or two. I keep an eye on them. They get to have fun for a few games!

Sometimes it seems like you’ve got enough gear for 3 people, whats all in your arsenal right now?

Keep in mind this a collection of over 7years, buying and selling…it’s been more buying at the moment. Right now I have a Geo2, Victory,DM9, Alien 10 Independence (Selling), V2 Creed (Selling), and I just acquired a Luxe. Oh, yes and I have an old school DM3 (on the wall right now, retired). Yes, it’s a few guns but nothing compared to Doyle’s humble 173 that he’s gone through. HA!

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

Round steaks and Brats. I actually won a Jack Frost SL8r in an online raffle. Just about crapped my pants when the guy called me to tell me I won it.

Do you enjoy events that are designed to be more just for fun such as the meat tournament or do you like playing more competitvely?

Sometimes I actually do have more fun, but at the same time it’s a good opportunity to gel with your teammates and…well…have fun!

What keeps you playing paintball?

Well, technically my wife (Amber) whom I absolutely love! It’s easier to ask to buy another gun and gear and weekly practices when your spouse likes paintball.

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

Ha! I’ve been going through a few lately and currently I’m using a DM9 with a polished bolt. Shoot so smooth and quiet. It’s nice to shoot a DM again! I did just purchase a Luxe so I’m extremely excited to put some mods on it and see how well it shoots.

When is your luxe going to arrive? Why are you such a gun whore lately?

Just got it and it’s pretty sweet! I really don’t spend much money on anything else and I’ve been on a spool valve kick lately. I watched and read a lot of Pooty51′s Luxe mods on Pbnation (along with other mods) which has sparked my curiosity. So I blame him!

Describe your style of play on the field.

I’m a back guy and try my best to communicate to the rest of the guys. I try to make get my front guys to get the kills. I try to stay alive at the end of every game…usually means myself and my team did something right!

Is it because you’re fluffy? Are you excited by the PSP Rule changes to cater towards larger players?

What are you saying I’m FAT?!! Oh…wait…what…PSP made rule changes this year? ha! FYI I’m not fat and I can still walk faster than you can run Doyle! I do think it’s a bit of a joke that the PSP label these changes to be more friendly toward larger people. I have a love/hate attitude toward the non-disclosure of the field layouts prior to the events. It does give fair opportunity to both sides and it will become a race to see who can adapt to the field the quickest.

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

A lot of local fields have close shop and on top of that it’s hard to find teams to practice against that are “so to speak” better. Any divisional team needs consistent competitive teams to practice against. Money is a big thing or sponors to be exact. However, no one just throws sponsorships out just like that and the economy isn’t helping at all.

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

I’m a Network Systems Analyst for the Airport here in Minneapolis. I mainly support the Terminal 2 (Humphrey) side but I also help, when needed, at Terminal 1 with the Flight Information Display System. Most of my job is supporting the computers and printers that the Airlines use and part of the network system.

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

John G!