by Ryan Norman
WVU Parkersburg has approved the addition of an official paintball club. “The club is to be in full swing and playing other colleges around the country by next semester,” said paintball club president, J.D. Bechtold. The club will offer two types of paintball—one for the serious hardcore players and the other for the occasional weekend warriors.
The recreational group of the club will play both woodland course and various tactical courses. Meanwhile, the more competitive style players will participate in highly anticipated “airball” or “xball” paintball tournaments, which will allow these competitors to test their skills in the national collegiate level. The first season the club will be in class AA competition, playing teams such as East Kentucky, Central Michigan, and many others.
Lane Katris, a student at WVU Parkersburg and treasurer of the paintball club, commented on the upcoming team, “I’m really excited ... compared to basketball and volleyball programs, it’s great to finally have a change.”
Members of the club can enjoy a number of benefits including discounts on local courses, paintball supplies, and group trips. Members also are eligible to compete in the National College Paintball Association League. The National Collegiate Paintball Association hosts over 40 events a year where college teams can compete. The NCPA provides competitive events where student athletes can showcase their skills while having the opportunity to get to know and work with student athletes from other schools.
The NCPA is also the only paintball league with regularly televised tournaments. The College Paintball National Championships has been televised since 2005, and will
be televised in 2011 as well.
The club will be holding
practices next spring with a few recreational paintball trips planned for this winter.
The funding for the club will be provided by private donations and fundraisers. The club website is currently under construction and will be posted soon. For additional information on becoming a member, contact club president J.D. Bechtold at 304-615-1584, or club vice president
Chris Barton at 304-580-6776.
WVU Parkersburg has approved the addition of an official paintball club. “The club is to be in full swing and playing other colleges around the country by next semester,” said paintball club president, J.D. Bechtold. The club will offer two types of paintball—one for the serious hardcore players and the other for the occasional weekend warriors.
The recreational group of the club will play both woodland course and various tactical courses. Meanwhile, the more competitive style players will participate in highly anticipated “airball” or “xball” paintball tournaments, which will allow these competitors to test their skills in the national collegiate level. The first season the club will be in class AA competition, playing teams such as East Kentucky, Central Michigan, and many others.
Lane Katris, a student at WVU Parkersburg and treasurer of the paintball club, commented on the upcoming team, “I’m really excited ... compared to basketball and volleyball programs, it’s great to finally have a change.”
Members of the club can enjoy a number of benefits including discounts on local courses, paintball supplies, and group trips. Members also are eligible to compete in the National College Paintball Association League. The National Collegiate Paintball Association hosts over 40 events a year where college teams can compete. The NCPA provides competitive events where student athletes can showcase their skills while having the opportunity to get to know and work with student athletes from other schools.
The NCPA is also the only paintball league with regularly televised tournaments. The College Paintball National Championships has been televised since 2005, and will
be televised in 2011 as well.
The club will be holding
practices next spring with a few recreational paintball trips planned for this winter.
The funding for the club will be provided by private donations and fundraisers. The club website is currently under construction and will be posted soon. For additional information on becoming a member, contact club president J.D. Bechtold at 304-615-1584, or club vice president
Chris Barton at 304-580-6776.