The University of Chicago Inter-league Paintball Society (ChIPS) was founded in October 1997 on the realization of a need for an organized group activity which could be enjoyed on many facets. Both having had common ties with the sport of paintball in their pasts, the founders, two dynamic first year students Lee Ting and Jonathan Press, went on to establish and later become the presidents of the first club of its sort in the history of The University of Chicago. Recognizing that the mechanics of organizing such a club would be a task great in magnitude, the two employed the utility of fellow sidekicks Eric Lee as Vice-President and Christopher Yang as Treasurer. Having come to the great institution with little more than an awesome vision and limited paintball paraphernalia, through many late nights of Taco Bell binge eating and more brainstorming energy than needed to power a big-block Chevy V-8 through the deep snows of Chicago winters, with the gracious support of John Angelus and the University Athletic Department as well as Operation Paintball, our newest field sponsor Challenge Park (24 April, 1998), and the direction of Dr. Jeffery Webb, the team of four launched ChIPS into its official 1998 spring premiere successfully.

Founded on the simple premise of having fun both on and off the field, the purpose of this organization is to serve as a resource for all beginning players or to those who have perhaps been tentative to delve into a sport in which not much may be known about. The purpose is also to foster a noncompetitive environment in which players, regardless of experience, can congregate for group play at local fields. Our mission statement is essentially twofold: to facilitate an environment where the education and play of paintball can be enjoyed and to exemplify the intrinsic teammanship qualities involved with group play. As with many team activities, certain inherent aspects of the game such as personal integrity, teamwork, fellowship, and sportsmanship are also exercised, and qualities important to the individual such as strategy and quick thinking are developed.

With a strong commitment to the school, sponsors, affiliated organizations, and related events, ChIPS hopes to extend the scope of the paintball community in a way as to make aware the less fortunate communities outside of the sport as well. Consequently, ChIPS will be committed to fostering a strong sense of community commitment as well.

For additional information about the club, please read our Club Constitution

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