The Omnibus

Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: In the Spotlight

Members of Paintballers of SBU pictured left to right: junior Tim Goodman, freshmen Justin Andrews, Kate Heeren, and Blayne Riffle, Paul Riffle, freshman Melissa Raindl, junior Rob Riddell and freshman Jordan McDonald. The Paintballers of SBU will have an informative meeting at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 8 in the Goodson Student Union.

Paintball fanatics and enthusiasts at Southwest Baptist University now have a group they can join and play with. SBU recently approved the addition of Paintballers of SBU as a recognized club on campus.
Freshman Blayne Riffle, along with his two friends juniors Tim Goodman and Rob Riddell, decided to create the group after inviting many SBU students out to play with them.
"I've been playing with a group of guys for a couple of years now and decided to invite more and make it official," said Riffle.
The task at becoming a club did not come so easy.
"Making the proposal took forever," said Riddell.
To become a recognized club, the group must submit a proposal to the Student Life Office as well as have a faculty or staff sponsor. Paintballers found Ted Bachman, enrollment manager, as their sponsor.
"Getting equipment and commitment from players has been a hard part," said Riffle.
Although it is preferred that players bring their own equipment, there are some rentals available if they are reserved in advance.
"We'll have [more] rentals available in fall once we get funds," said Riffle.
The group meets at separate places to play paintball. They play at Speedball [Riffles's house], Paintball Outpost in Springfield and Woodsball [a privately owned property].
They usually meet at 2 p.m. at Speedball every other week. Thursday, April 13 is the next scrimmage.
Roughly 20 to 30 SBU students are currently involved in the group. Zach Waters, director of student activities and Bachman come out and play with the students.
"I love playing paintball because when you're in the moment it's just so intense," said freshman Kate Heeren. "You feel a tiny bit scared to get hit up close, but that pretty much disappears when you end up hitting them first."

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