Some of you laugh at that statement, but it is actually a question that I get asked on a regular basis. As the coach of Liberty University’s Paintball team, I answer emails and phone calls weekly. Often these emails are from High School students that have a desire to play college paintball in the NCPA (National Collegiate Paintball Association).
Many have seen our team on the annual National Championship Webcast or seen our video on Social Paintball. As a team that has finished in the top 4 during the past two years, our program has gained a lot of attention and respect in the college paintball community. Somewhere people began getting the idea that we were a heavily funded program and offered scholarships for paintball players. Upon that assumption, I often get a random email from a recreational paintball player asking for a scholarship to come to Liberty for free. This type of thing often amuses me.
Most paintball players know nothing about Liberty University except for our paintball team and maybe our on-campus fields. Liberty University is an evangelical Christian University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Yes, we are a heavily funded paintball program. Yes, we have performed well over the past few years. But, we are just like any other paintball team, NCPA, PSP, NPPL…, Players have to pay to play. There is no team, outside of some pros, that offers a free ride. All college teams are made up of students that pay to play. Not only do NCPA players have to pay tuition, they also have to buy their own equipment and pay for paint, travel, entry fees, etc.
Schools that receive funding still require their players to pay something… Maybe these emails and phone calls are prompted by wishful thinking. Maybe they come from a desire for paintball to reach a level of legitimacy where the schools recruit players and offer them free guns and full scholarships. But, until that day, let’s keep rooting for your favorite college paintball team, even if you know nothing about the school.
Maybe if there were to be a huge increase in paintball to such an extent that the pros were on the same level as other major sports leagues that colleges would then take something like scholarships into consideration for paintball players. Both for scenario and speedball. I really wish there was a pro paintball league that was on that level, but that’s definitely far off in the future or possibly wishful thinking. But think, if there were a league that worked with colleges to offer professional spots like a draft persay and the colleges were able to make money by winning major paintball tournaments or events like they do with football, it could be a different story and players could possibly apply for a paintball scholarship. For now the only scholarship offered for paintball is the Bob Gurnsey Scholarship. http://www.paintballscholarships.com/ It explains it all that website. They are also on FB currently with a little over 200 “likes”. Anywho, just a thought.
Woow that would be so badass bad thing I'm only 13 D: but yeah..
that would be awesome
I am graduating from highschool this year this is amazing to get scholarships for playing paintball and get on a college team is what i wanna do
There is a video on planet eclipses you tube channel that follows the NCPA I like how it is now, they state that the NCPA shows the college athlete in the truest form, people playing for the love of the game.
Wish they had that here in my country!
BUFFFF I wish here in my country all universities started a paintball association where we compete between other universities and win, I don't really care if I have to pay my stuff but yeah it would be cool if a university could pay your gun, and paint to train at least! and maybe find awesome jerseys!
I wish there was a college competition in the Netherlands. But there are just not enough players :(.
But I enjoy like watching the NCPA webcast!
I know they have a lot of college club’s around my area and state, And i play for a team. This helped a lot thank’s!
Paintball needs recognition as a sport. Colleges need funded teams with full scholarships. Olympic teams should also be made globally #wargames
where do you apply for a paintball scholarships?