Club members aim to have fun and recruit others
Aiming to make a comeback, an airsoft and paintball club at Liberty returns. For years, Club Sports ran a college-level paintball team for students to engage in fun sportsmanship and physical activity. However, in the spring of 2022, lack of interest and COVID-19 regulations shut the club down. After over a year of trying to restart, the founders of Liberty Airsoft and Paintball Club (LAPC) started their own organization.
Richard Beale, president of LAPC, recalled his disappointment when the original club shut down. He had enjoyed paintball for years and didn’t understand why there were no further prospects relating to airsoft or paintball on Liberty’s campus. After meeting others with the same interest, Beale and a few of his friends decided to start the club.
Beale and Josh Lacasse, the director of public affairs for the club, vary in level of experience with the sport. Even though they have only been playing for a few years, they want to bring airsoft and paintball to the students of Liberty.
Beale said the actual sport of airsoft and/or paintball encourages physical activity, sportsmanship, cooperation and organization within the players. Depending on the type of airsoft being played, it could resemble teams working through an obstacle course, conducting military simulation or running through the woods.
He describes each field as having its own safety requirements to ensure that all players involved remain safe and avoid injury. The fields are insured, and a marshal (referee) oversees the games. Each gun has a range limit depending on the feet per second capability when launching a projectile. The user may only be allowed to stand within 25 or even 75 feet of the intended target to ensure no injuries. Personal protection includes goggles and optional masks for students over 18.
Overall, LAPC aims to bring students together around the games of airsoft and paintball. The administration of the team knows how hard it can be to coordinate when so many students have hectic schedules, but having a group to de-stress and have fun with is essential. The current community of members welcomes new students of all experience levels to join the airsoft and paintball club.
As those who are interested in airsoft and paintball are incredibly diverse, LAPC hopes to foster a place where they can conduct good conversations, be good examples and be impactful to those around them. Primarily, LAPC encourages its members in Christlikeness.
“The airsoft and paintball community has unreached groups of people,” Beale said. “We want to share the gospel and be a good influence for all ages. That is our main purpose.”
While this club is not yet approved, the administration and their faculty advisor have been working diligently with the legal team and risk management. They hope the club will be fully approved by the end of the semester, running smoothly under SGA by the spring.
For newcomers, the LAPC is looking for members of all experience levels. Airsoft and paintball playing fields also provide rentals for any gear that might be needed. While paintball can be costly, airsoft is a much cheaper alternative for any beginner interested in getting involved in the sport.
“You don’t have to put too much of a financial stake in,” Lacasse said. “It won’t take time off of school or academics either. Just come and see if you would like to be involved.”
Whatley is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion