No Welts No Glory: Paintball Club prepares for tournament Saturday

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Patrick Glasson has his sights set on lofty goals, even if his scope is affixed to a paintball gun.

The Flushing junior would like to reach the National Collegiate Paintball Association championships next spring and, if things go well, the national championships in Florida. But in the meantime, the Paintball Club president is focused on increasing club membership.

The club is in fact a club sport, so unlike a registered student organization, it will compete against other schools around the country, he said.

“We have played against U-M and Miami of Ohio,” Glasson said. “It’s bigger than people think.”

The club will compete in the Midwest Great Lakes Event #1 tournament on Saturday. The tournament at Chaos Paintball in Charlotte will also host Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Northern Michigan University and Miami of Ohio.

Though this semester is Gabe Shubel’s first as a member of the club, he is no novice to the sport.

“I have been playing since the eighth grade,” the East Grand Rapids freshman said.

His favorite part of paintball is the work ethic it demands.

“It’s all about persistence, you can’t quit,” Shubel said. “You have to keep playing. You have to want to play. That’s why I keep playing I always want to learn and get better.”

Glasson said he is very interested in seeing what kind of talent the team has in their division.

New Baltimore sophomore Eric Osborne fires at teammates during the CMU paintball team practice Sept 25. at Chaos Paintball in Charlotte. "I started playing when I was 12." said Osborne. "My dad came home one day with pump guns, and ever since then it has escalated into where we are now." (Andrew Kuhn/Staff Photographer)

“We’ve been practicing really hard,” he said. “Last week we practiced against U of M and Michigan State, U of M is always a top team.”

Glasson said the only requirements for members are a $60 fee and they provide their own equipment, such as paintball guns, pants and helmets.

Club Treasurer Spencer Dean said once the club knows the full extent of its funding, it plans to offer sponsorships for people who may be interested in joining.

The Grayling sophomore said the club would try to sponsor one person a week, so potential members can see if joining the group is worth the investment.

Glasson said the sport is much more taxing than what is generally expected.

“Ask anyone who’s played it, it’s extremely physical and a lot more athletic than most people think,” he said.

Dean said he appreciates the opportunity it affords him to blow off steam.

“I love it,” Dean said. “It’s a great escape from school on the weekends.”