By Sergio Lopez
Contributing Writer
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is home to many sports and organizations, but paintball?
Yes, for the second year, SOSU has a paintball organization, making Southeastern one of only five universities in the state with this organization.
“We are a very unique organization and we have a diverse group of members,” said Blaine Parnell, president of SE paintball.
The SE paintball slogan is “our goal is to advance the sport socially as well as competitively,” and Parnell said this is “what we plan to do.”
The organization was just created last year, and in its short time on campus it already has had up to 20 members and a competition roster of eight that compete through the National Collegiate Paintball Association (NCPA).
Parnell explained that in a smaller sport like paintball, the competition is not as plentiful, which leaves SE paintball battling against opponents like the University of Texas Longhorns and Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.
The team plans to compete in a minimum of four southern conference events this season and to compete at nationals in Central Florida in the spring.
“It’s great because it’s one sport that I can play where I am treated equally and with as much respect as any male players on the field,” said Trista Hall, treasurer and tournament player. “I’m there to cover for my team just like any other player. When I’m on the field, I’m not ‘the female paintball player,’ I am a paintball player, and that’s it.”
Meetings are held Wednesdays in the Student Union at 5:30 p.m. Upon attending students are eligible to join the organization.
For more information please contact the Office of Student Life, or the president, Blaine Parnell.
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Photos by Trista Hall