Fred Schultz

Fred Schultz (also known as Mr Fred) is an American paintball player, tournament organiser and media personality. He founded and captained the professional team Constant Pursuit in 1985 and participated in the early organisation of the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL).[1][2]

Schultz became known for promoting paintball through television appearances, instructional videos, magazine coverage and charity events during the 1980s and 1990s. He was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Fame in 2020.[1][3]

Paintball career

Early involvement

Schultz began playing paintball in 1984 while operating a construction business in Northern California.

According to his recollections, he first purchased a SplatMaster pistol as a birthday present for his business partner. He subsequently acquired additional markers, and employees began organising recreational games on vacant land.

As participation increased, Schultz and his business partner established a commercial paintball field called Battle Action Games.[1]

Players associated with the field formed several teams, including the Ironmen. Schultz established his own team, Constant Pursuit, in 1985.[1][4]

Constant Pursuit

Schultz founded and captained Constant Pursuit, an early professional tournament team based in Northern California.

The team initially competed in regional tournaments before entering national events, including Jim Lively's Masters tournament in Tennessee.[1]

Constant Pursuit competed against established teams including the Ironmen, Dogs of War and California Black Diamonds.[4]

Historical tournament records document several notable results:

Year	Tournament	Placing
1989	Pacific Northwest Tournament	1st
1990	Windy City Open	2nd
1990	Mayhem Masters, United Kingdom	3rd
1991	Paintball World Cup	2nd
1992	Music City Open	2nd
1992	Lone Star Open	4th

These results are recorded in historical tournament summaries, with the 1992 Lone Star Open placing also documented in the ClassicScores tournament database.[2][5]

National Professional Paintball League

Schultz participated in the meetings that led to the formation of the player-controlled National Professional Paintball League in 1992.

At a meeting in Chicago organised by Steve Davidson, representatives of leading professional teams discussed tournament costs, refereeing, prize distribution and the organisation of national competition.

Schultz represented Constant Pursuit and served on the league's promotions and marketing committee alongside Al Podufaly, Ron Kilbourne and Bill Gardner.

He also participated in the committee responsible for tournament costs and prize structures, alongside Adam Gardner and Renick Miller.[2]

The NPPL subsequently introduced a national tournament structure for the 1993 season.

Paintball media and promotion

Television

Schultz was involved in efforts to introduce paintball to national television audiences during the 1990s.

In 1994, he organised and appeared in Paintball USA, a television special filmed on a simulated New York street at Disney's studio facilities in Florida.

The programme featured members of Constant Pursuit competing against paintball industry representatives, including Tom Kaye, Dan Colby, Rene Boucher, Tim Schloss and Dennis Tippmann Jr.[2]

The special was broadcast on ESPN2 during the mid-1990s and subsequently became part of the sport's early television history.

The original programme has been preserved in the historical video collection maintained by Paintball Media.[6]

Instructional videos

Schultz presented instructional paintball videos intended to introduce new players to the sport.

These included The Fun of Paintball with Fred Schultz, which covered basic equipment, safety and recreational play.

He also hosted The Basics of Paintball, a 45-minute instructional programme released in 1995 by Barnstorm Productions.

A contemporary review published in Video Librarian in March 1996 identified Schultz as the presenter and described the programme's coverage of equipment selection, safety rules and playing techniques.[7]

Magazines and public appearances

Schultz appeared in paintball magazines and promotional material during the 1980s and 1990s.

According to his own account, his relationship with Action Pursuit Games began after editor Randy Kamiya encountered him at charitable paintball events.

A subsequent cover appearance helped attract sponsorship from equipment manufacturers and distributors.[1]

Companies associated with Schultz's sponsorships included Air Gun Designs, Air America, Line SI and Tiger Stripe.[1]

He also worked as an event presenter and master of ceremonies, including at the International Amateur Open.

Tom Kaye, founder of Air Gun Designs, recalled Schultz's role as a tournament presenter and paintball promoter in a historical account published in January 2014.[8]

Schultz was particularly associated with wearing a camouflage-patterned tuxedo jacket during tournament presentations and public appearances.

Charity events

Schultz participated in charity paintball events during the 1980s and 1990s.

According to his recollections, he recognised the potential for organised paintball games to raise funds for charitable organisations and began supporting fundraising events at commercial playing fields.[1]

His public appearances and media activities became closely connected with the promotion of recreational paintball.

Later involvement

Schultz remained involved in paintball through media activities and tournament organisation.

He became associated with the World Classic Paintball League (WCPL), a tournament organisation focused on traditional mechanical paintball and woodland competition.

The league identified Schultz as one of its event promoters and documented his involvement with its California Classic tournament.[1]

He also hosted the paintball discussion programme Mr Fred and Friends, produced through Flag Pull Productions.

In 2025, Schultz was listed as the contact for the WCPL Wisconsin Classic 10-man tournament held at Commando Paintball Sports in Little Suamico, Wisconsin.[9]

Recognition

Schultz was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Fame in 2020, recognising his contributions as a player, promoter and media personality.[3]

The German historical paintball organisation Old Iron Division also lists Schultz among its honorary members.[10]

His involvement in paintball history has been documented through retrospective interviews, historical tournament records and the Iconic Paintball Teams documentary series produced by Paintball Media.[4]

References

World Classic Paintball League: League Promoters. World Classic Paintball League. Fred Schultz's account of his early involvement, Battle Action Games, Constant Pursuit, sponsorships and later promotional activities.
History of Paintball. Automags.org. Historical tournament chronology covering Constant Pursuit, the 1992 NPPL organisational meetings, committee membership and the 1994 Disney television special.
WCPL: The Hall of Fame. World Classic Paintball League. Paintball Hall of Fame inductee list, identifying Fred Schultz as a member of the 2020 class.
Constant Pursuit. Paintball Media. Historical documentary profile of the team founded by Fred Schultz in 1985.
ClassicScores. Historical tournament database, including the 1992 Lone Star Open results.
Paintball Television Shows. Paintball Media. Historical video archive listing Paintball USA, the 1994 television special featuring Fred Schultz.
The Basics of Paintball. Video Librarian, Randy Pitman, 11 March 1996. Contemporary review of the instructional programme hosted by Schultz.
Who Was Fred Schultz? Remembering Great Players from the Past. Automags.org, Tom Kaye, 14 January 2014.
World Classic Paintball League: 2025 Events. World Classic Paintball League. Tournament calendar identifying Schultz as the Wisconsin Classic contact.
Old Iron Division: Hall of Fame and Honorary Members. Old Iron Division. Fred Schultz profile and historical contributions.

External links