Paintball club seeks playing field

As early as the end of November, Eastern's campus could be home to a new paintball field, and it has some students ready to lock and load. Will Sutherland, captain of the paintball club, said not only is the paintball club excited about the proposed addition, but that it would also make Eastern unique.

"There isn't a paintball field on a college campus for over 400 miles," Sutherland said. "The only other university that has a paintball field is Liberty in Lynchburg, Va."

Sutherland said that without a field, club members are forced to drive to Somerset or Louisville to practice, which puts strain on practice time and wallets.

Recent talks arose about the addition of a new paintball field after Student Senate awarded the club $6,707.40 during this semester's appropriations funding meeting.The club was granted the money to purchase an air compressor, and received the most money of all the registered student organizations present at the meeting.

Afterward, it was determined there had been some miscommunication between the sponsoring Senator and the club about the actual existence of a paintball field. However, everything has been settled, said Afsi Siahkoohi, student body president.

Thus, the club and the Student Government Association (SGA) have made an agreement, which includes the proposed addition of a paintball field to campus.

The paintball club is expected to have a field constructed before the end of the semester in order to keep the money they were awarded, Siahkoohi said.

If the field is not constructed for some reason, the money will go back to SGA and will rollover to the spring semester. Siahkoohi added that the club has also agreed not to purchase the air compressor until the field location is set.

"Everyone accepts it was a communication error [and] there is no ill-will between SGA and the club," Siahkoohi said. "[That was] a lot of money that could go to someone else [which] is why we set these pre-conditions."

Siahkoohi, along with James Street, director of facilities management, and members of the club, will be meeting soon to look for possible locations for a field. Currently, there is plenty of land across the by-pass, Siahkoohi said.

When plans get a bit more definite, certain things such as security issues and safety concerns will also be addressed, Siahkoohi said.

Siahkoohi said she supports the club and agreed that many students are probably interested in paintball on Eastern's campus.

"If we could even have a practice course for them, it would be beneficial," she said.

Sutherland said the club has about all the equipment needed to have a fully functional paintball field, so students can come out and play at a low cost, potentially paying only for paintballs.

"Paintball is a very expensive sport," Sutherland said. "And with the addition of a paintball field we plan on raising money for the club by hosting tournaments and selling paintballs."

With the prospect of a new field on the way, Sutherland said he's glad to see an interest in the project from other students. The club is also in the process of creating a sister club, which would focus on introducing people to the sport and teaching beginners the correct and safe way to play.In their first tournament, the club placed fourth out of 13 teams, and went into the finals as a No. 1 seed.

"We have very high expectations this year," Sutherland said. "We are predicted to be in the top five when the national tournament rolls around in April."

For more information about the proposed plans, students can contact SGA at 622-1724, Students interested in joining the paintball club should e-mail Will Sutherland at william_sutherlan2@eku.edu.