Auburn paintball players: compete in an arena style match. AUPB team members are confident they will be able to compete for championships at the collegiate level this season. ARCHIVE
The members of the Auburn Paintball Team are gearing up for another exciting season, ready to paint their opponents orange and blue.
With 12 tournaments and games under its belt, the team has a lot to look forward to and back on.
AUPB was officially founded in September 2007 and is part of National College Paintball Association (NCPA), an incorporated non-profit made up of paintball clubs from universities across the country.
This year, the team will be playing in various NCPA games against SEC schools.
Jarred Lee Beck, a junior in electrical engineering, has been practicing with the team since February and played in the non-college events with the team this summer.
“I’m most excited about playing the NCPA college league this year,” Beck said. “I believe we will have a good chance to win the south eastern division.”
Danny Osborne, a junior in radio, television and film leads the team alongside David Mullins, a junior in supply chain management. They say they are hoping to claim an SEC title or do well enough to make more of a name for themselves in the paintball world and on campus.
Mullins and Osborne both agree their biggest accomplishment this past season was finishing the Georgia Field Owners Association Tournament and ranking ninth out of 40 teams.
“We missed the first few games, but came out near the top, so we are excited about that and think that says a lot about where we hope to go this year,” Osborne said.
One place they hope to go is nationals.
Since the team started in 2007, a lack of funding has been an issue, but funding did not stop their efforts or accomplishments.
The team was unable to attend nationals last year because of a lack of funding, but hopes to change that this season.
“We’re going to nationals this year,” Osborne said. “One of our goals this year is to get an additional sponsor or two to help out.”
The team’s sponsor, SmartParts, has been helping to get the team discounted gear, and for that, Osborne says they are thankful.
The team is preparing to go out against the SEC teams beginning Sept. 20, at Virginia Tech and then against Florida State.
Mullins says he is most excited about the team making its appearance at the World Cup at Disney World this October, which he called the biggest paintball event in the world.
“We’re planning on showing our opponents we mean business,” Mullins said. “And we’re going to rock their socks off!”
The team is also looking for some new recruits. “As for the new kids that want play, we’re just looking to recruit those that are dedicated and willing to work hard,” Mullins said.
AUPB will be competing in several tournaments this fall leading all the way up to NCPA nationals in April 2009.
For those interested in playing, be on the lookout for Mullins, Osborne and other team members on the Concourse during SGA O-Days this week.
If you miss them on the Concourse, you can contact Mullins or Osborne through their Facebook group, Auburn University Paintball Team.
On the Facebook group site, fans and potential members can read about everything from practice schedules to pricing, to event locations and travel information.
AUPB’s first practice will be held at Shivers paintball field in Wetumpa on August 31.
