Pro*file: Kevin Rugaard

Name: Kevin Rugaard

Age: 28

Hometown: Wheaton, IL

Occupation: Concrete Truck Driver

Family (siblings, pets): a brother and sister and a wicked 2 year old niece!!

General interests other than paintball: I like soccer and volleyball, riding Harley's and working out.

1. What was your first paintball experience and who introduced you to the game?

First experience was with my dad. Think I was about 12 or 13; it was a private game with a bunch of his friends, kids vs. adults all day; we were mowin them down in the woods... too much fun!

2. What team do you play for now?

Legend in the NPPL, Amsterdam Sabotage in the Millennium series and the Chicago Heretics in the UWL

3. What teams have you played for in the past?

psycho circus and uprising

4. Who helped you become the player you are?

My younger brother for sure, he was the reason I got into tournament paintball and his drive and enthusiasm for the game is what got me hooked and wanted to keep bettering myself in the sport. Learned alot from him in a short amount of time. He never BS'd me either, if I was playing like crap and wasn't doing my job he was the first one too let me know.

5. Who are your favorite paintball players?

Anyone on Dynasty or Vicious; I respect the team aspect so much, and any team that can keep the core together and work towards a common goal for success gets a big thumbs up in my book. It's not easy too do today with so many players demanding so much from teams to play with them.

6. What’s your best paintball experience or memory?

I will never forget the night out we had in Boston '06. It was a crazy event to begin with, terrible storm out of the midwest delayed my flight until Friday morning. I literally got out of the cab and was on the field about 12 minutes later... after just missing the cut we decided to hit up the downtown scene. We were pretty toasted before we left and that just set the mood for the night. Girls everywhere, two guys totally cool with headbutting and punching one another, pyramids with bachelorette parties in too short of skirts and one guy arguing with a fat girl for the last Italian sausage being sold from the vendor. Too many stories to get into, but it that's a small taste.... We still talk about that night 4 years later.

7. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done in order to play paintball?

I woke up at about 7am the morning after I was the best man in my boy's wedding. Never been so hungover in my life and drove the hour and a half to a non-mandatory practice to play. I spent more time throwing up in between games than I did actually playing... either that or flying to Iran last year for a tournament, that was intense. I was lying to people and telling them I was going to Dubai instead, didn't get as many crazy looks or questions that way; ultimately went because the Ironmen were going and figured it can't be that bad if they were going.

8. What is the single most important lesson the up and comer needs to learn?

Gun skills by far. The higher up you advance in your paintball career the tougher each and every shot gets. Biggest thing I notice is that if you make a move and you develop that shot whether its just a blind shot or a snap shot, you only have the first couple shots to make that kill before they realize what you have done. Some people have different talents regarding their skills... Take myself, I'm right handed but I'm able to shoot even faster and more accurate left handed, and that's why you'll find me in the left corner every single game with Legend. They have their strong corner and players shooting their dominant hand down the wire and I'm shooting mine right back at them.

9. How did you get a spot with Amsterdam Sabotage? What's the difference between the US and Euro brands of ball?

Last year I just made a post on a predominantly used European forum that I wanted to play overseas and after talking with a few different teams I ended up with them. They are a great group of guys who are hungry to make it to the top, last year we were the first team in Dutch history to qualify for promotion to the SPL, so were all pretty pumped about '10. There's this big thing about European ball is so far behind the US; to some extent I think that is true, but the teams over there are getting better and better each year. The one thing I do notice is the gun skills and playing technique of some of the players, but even like over here it's at the lower divisions. Division 1 was strange because you had some really tough teams some tournaments and then other teams you're blowing them out 4-0 in about 5 minutes. It'll be interesting too see how SK Moscow does in Phoenix; they ended up 1st in the pro division and are playing SP over here.

10. Do you (or any of your teammates) have any superstitions related to playing paintball? Something like always wearing the same socks or being the first guy to chrono? If not could you make up something that sounds good?

I can't really think of any superstitions for anyone else, I know that I HAVE to wear one Red and one Black Nike soccer sock at major events, don't know why but I do and if I do forget them I get nervous.