Lords of Discipline

Lords of Discipline was an American tournament paintball team active during the 1980s and early 1990s. The team was a leading competitor in the early professional era, winning major five-player and 15-player tournaments before merging with Scream to form Chicago Aftershock in 1991.[1][2]

Lords of Discipline won both the five-player and 15-player divisions at the 1989 Line SI International Masters and finished second at the inaugural 1990 World Cup.[2][3]

History

Early competition

Lords of Discipline competed in major American paintball tournaments during the 1980s, becoming an established competitor in the 15-player format.

The team was active by 1988, with a photograph from a New York tournament preserved in the historical collection of paintball researcher Daniel Bacci.[4]

The organisation was associated with players including Steve Copeland, John "Spud" Jackson, Ryan Northrup, Rob Northrup, Tim Brown, Joe Parks, Tommy Kline and Dave Becker.[1]

Its precise founding date has not been established.

1989 International Masters

Lords of Discipline achieved major tournament success at the 1989 Line SI International Masters.

According to historical research published by Daniel Bacci in May 2017, the team won both the five-player and 15-player championships.

In the 15-player competition, Lords of Discipline finished ahead of Sudden Death, another team sponsored by Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI).[2]

A photograph of Lords of Discipline at the tournament survives in the original Lively Masters event programme.[2]

1990 tournament season

Lords of Discipline continued competing at the highest level during 1990.

At the inaugural Paintcheck Five-Man tournament, held at Skirmish USA in Pennsylvania on 26-27 May 1990, the team finished second behind the PMI Piranhas.

The tournament attracted 57 teams, with the Master Blasters finishing third.[5]

Later that year, Lords of Discipline finished second at the inaugural Paintball World Cup in Newburgh, New York.

The PMI Piranhas won the event, with the Master Blasters finishing third and New England Grim Reapers fourth.[3]

Merger with Scream (1991)

Lords of Discipline maintained a competitive rivalry with Scream, another established Midwestern American tournament team led by Renick Miller.

According to Chicago Aftershock's official team history, discussions about a merger had taken place between Lords of Discipline player Steve Copeland and Miller before 1991.

The merger followed an incident involving Lords of Discipline and Crow Warriors at the 1990 Chicago Open. Aftershock's historical account states that Lords of Discipline received a ban from the tournament promoters following the confrontation.[1]

The two organisations combined in spring 1991 to form Chicago Aftershock.

Players who joined the new organisation from Lords of Discipline included Steve Copeland, John "Spud" Jackson, Ryan Northrup, Rob Northrup and Tim Brown.[1]

The merger brought together experienced tournament players from both teams and established the organisation that subsequently became a dominant competitor in the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL).[6]

Equipment and sponsorship

Lords of Discipline was sponsored by Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI), a major American paintball equipment distributor.

During the late 1980s, the team used PMI Piranha pump-action markers, including specially modified versions incorporating the Turbo Valve developed by Airgun Designs.

Some markers supplied to PMI-sponsored teams featured custom engravings identifying the team or the Airgun Designs valve system.

Surviving examples of Lords of Discipline equipment have been documented by paintball historian Daniel Bacci, including markers associated with Steve Copeland.

Historical accounts identify Bill Zoll as a captain of Lords of Discipline during the PMI sponsorship period.[2][4]

Notable players

Documented players associated with Lords of Discipline include:

Steve "Cope" Copeland - Player involved in the merger with Scream that established Chicago Aftershock.
John "Spud" Jackson - Player who continued with Chicago Aftershock following the 1991 merger.
Ryan Northrup - Member of Lords of Discipline and the original Aftershock roster.
Rob Northrup - Member of Lords of Discipline and the original Aftershock roster.
Tim Brown - Member of Lords of Discipline and the original Aftershock roster.
Bill Zoll - Identified as a team captain during the PMI sponsorship period.[1][2][4]

Selected tournament results

Year	Tournament	Division	Result
1989	Line SI International Masters	Five-player	1st [2]
1989	Line SI International Masters	15-player	1st [2]
1990	Paintcheck Five-Man	Five-player	2nd [5]
1990	Paintball World Cup, Newburgh	Open	2nd [3]

References

External links