Chuck Hendsch

Chuck Hendsch is an American former professional paintball player, team founder, tournament administrator and industry executive. He is best known for helping establish San Diego Dynasty in 2001, serving as president of the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) and overseeing the introduction of the NPPL Super 7 World Series in 2003.[1][2][3]

Hendsch subsequently served as commissioner of the US Paintball League (USPL) following the collapse of the original Super 7 organisation in 2008. He remained involved in national tournament administration and the promotion of the Huntington Beach paintball tournament during the following decade.[4][5]

In 2026, Hendsch was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Icons in the Growth Era category.[6]

Paintball career

Early industry involvement

Hendsch was involved in professional paintball during the 1990s, combining tournament competition with work in the paintball equipment industry.

By October 1998, he was working with JT USA, the American manufacturer of paintball goggles and protective equipment.

Contemporary WARPIG reporting from the 1998 NPPL World Cup identified Hendsch among the company's representatives providing equipment and support to participating players.[7]

He continued working with JT during the early 2000s.

At the NPPL organisational meeting held in January 2001, Hendsch was identified as the league's vice-president and a representative of JT.[8]

Formation of San Diego Dynasty (2001)

Hendsch played an important role in the establishment of San Diego Dynasty.

The team was formed in 2001 from a group of young California tournament players, several of whom had previously competed with IronKids.

According to a 2006 Los Angeles Times retrospective, Hendsch organised the creation of a new professional team after the young players achieved success in amateur competition.[1]

The original Dynasty roster included Ryan Greenspan, Alex Fraige, Angel Fragoza, Kevin Bredthauer, Brian Cole, Brad Maughan, Rodney Squires and other established tournament players.

Hendsch was identified as the team's captain in the published 2001 and 2002 NPPL professional rosters.[2][9]

Dynasty won the professional 10-man division at the 2001 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida, defeating Aftershock, Bob Long's Ironmen and Bad Company in the final round.[10]

The team subsequently finished level with the Southern California Ironmen in the 2002 NPPL professional 10-man season standings.

Hendsch's involvement with Dynasty diminished as his responsibilities with the NPPL increased.

On 22 August 2003, the team announced that it had separated from Hendsch and reorganised as Dynasty Paintball Club LLC, an independently managed organisation without an individual owner.[11]

National Professional Paintball League

Appointment as president (2001)

Hendsch became involved in the administration of the National Professional Paintball League during its reorganisation in 2001.

The original NPPL corporation had been dissolved by the State of New York in 1999, although tournament promoters continued using the league's name.

At the 2001 Gettysburg Open, representatives of participating teams confirmed Tom Cole as league president and Hendsch as vice-president.

Following Cole's resignation later that year, Hendsch became president.[3]

He established a new California corporation, National Professional Paintball League Inc., intended to provide the tournament circuit with a formal organisational structure.

The corporation was initially owned by Hendsch. He stated that the longer-term objective was to establish a system of ownership involving participating professional teams.[3]

Separation from PSP (2002)

During 2002, disagreements developed between the NPPL administration and Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP), the organisation responsible for promoting the league's major tournaments.

The disagreements concerned tournament sanctioning, financial arrangements, governance and the responsibilities of promoters and league officials.

The two organisations temporarily separated in May 2002 before reaching an agreement to complete the season together.

By the end of 2002, however, the NPPL and PSP had decided to establish separate national tournament programmes.[12]

On 12 November 2002, Hendsch resigned from his position as West Coast vice-president of sales and marketing at National Paintball Supply to concentrate on his responsibilities as NPPL president.[13]

Establishment of the NPPL Super 7 (2003)

For 2003, the NPPL introduced the Super 7 World Series, replacing its established professional 10-man competition with a seven-player format.

The new series was promoted through Pure Promotions, a company established by British paintball manufacturer WDP.

Hendsch worked with Pure Promotions and local authorities to organise the inaugural event at Huntington Beach, California.

The tournament took place from 7 to 9 February 2003, using temporary inflatable-bunker fields constructed on the beach near Huntington Beach Pier.[14]

The event also incorporated grandstands, trade show facilities, music and other activities intended to attract spectators.

In January 2003, the Los Angeles Times interviewed Hendsch concerning the preparations for the event and his plans to establish Huntington Beach as a regular venue for professional paintball.[14]

The NPPL Super 7 subsequently expanded to other American cities.

Hendsch remained president as the series developed its tournament presentation, spectator facilities and media coverage.

In June 2006, The Washington Post identified Hendsch as NPPL president in an article examining the growth of professional paintball and its television exposure.[15]

Pacific Paintball acquisition (2007)

In January 2007, Pacific Paintball LLC acquired the NPPL and Xtreme Paintball Sports League (XPSL).

Shawn Walker became president of the new parent organisation, replacing the previous management structure.

Hendsch, the former NPPL president and owner, was retained in an advisory capacity.[16]

The acquisition marked the end of his period leading the original NPPL corporation.

US Paintball League

Following the announcement of Pacific Paintball's liquidation in December 2008, a group of 16 professional teams established the US Paintball League (USPL).

The new organisation was structured around ownership by participating professional teams.

In January 2009, Hendsch was appointed commissioner of the USPL, reporting to a five-member board of directors.[4][17]

The organisation retained seven-player tournament competition and continued the established Huntington Beach event.

Its inaugural tournament took place from 3 to 5 April 2009, with D.C. Arsenal winning the professional division.[5]

In an interview with WARPIG, Hendsch explained that the USPL intended to place greater emphasis on supporting amateur and divisional teams, with professional teams involved in producing regional events.[4]

The USPL subsequently acquired the NPPL name, allowing the tournament circuit to return to NPPL branding in 2010.

Later tournament administration

Hendsch continued working in tournament administration following the re-establishment of the NPPL.

In January 2011, the league announced a revised management structure.

Mike Peverill became president, Tom Cole was appointed commissioner and Hendsch moved into the position of chief operating officer, with responsibility for tournament logistics.[18]

Hendsch remained in this role during 2012.

A January 2012 NPPL announcement concerning the appointment of Tony Mineo as league commissioner identified Hendsch as chief operating officer.[19]

Surf City Paintball Open (2014)

In 2014, the NPPL suspended its national tournament programme.

Hendsch subsequently helped organise the Surf City Paintball Open at Huntington Beach, continuing the beach tournament tradition established in 2003.

At the time, he was vice-president of Outdoor Events Specialists.

Working with HK Army, Hendsch helped organise the independently promoted tournament following the suspension of the national NPPL series.[20]

The event retained professional and amateur seven-player competition at Huntington Beach.

Recognition

In 2026, Hendsch was inducted into the Paintball Hall of Icons in the Growth Era category.

The induction recognised his contributions as both a professional player and an administrator during the development of modern tournament paintball.[6]

The April 2026 edition of Paintball Media Magazine confirmed his induction alongside Frank Connell, J. C. Whittington, Davey Williamson, Brian Fow, Ed Poorman and Alex Martinez.[21]

References

Los Angeles Times – War Games. Tom Chiarella, 7 May 2006. Retrospective account of Dynasty's formation and Hendsch's involvement.
WARPIG – 2001 NPPL Professional Rosters. Identifies Hendsch as Dynasty captain.
WARPIG – NPPL to Be Liquidated. Bill Mills, 2 December 2008. Historical account of the NPPL's reorganisation and Hendsch's presidency.
WARPIG – US Paintball League Seeks to Fill Gap Left by NPPL. Bill Mills, January 2009.
WARPIG – USPL Huntington Beach 2009. 3–5 April 2009.
Iconic Paintball – Hall of Icons Class of 2026. Official induction announcement.
WARPIG – 1998 NPPL World Cup. Contemporary reporting identifying Hendsch with JT USA.
WARPIG – NPPL 2001 Season Organisational Meeting. Bill Mills, January 2001.
WARPIG – 2002 NPPL Professional Rosters. Identifies Hendsch as Dynasty captain.
WARPIG – 2001 NPPL World Cup Professional 10-Man Finals. 22–28 October 2001.
WARPIG – Team Dynasty Restructure. Dynasty Paintball Club LLC, 22 August 2003.
WARPIG – NPPL and PSP Get Back Together. Bill Mills, 22 May 2002.
WARPIG – Chuck Hendsch Gives Up Post at National Paintball Supply. 13 November 2002.
Los Angeles Times – Painting the Town. Mike Sciacca, 23 January 2003.
The Washington Post – Locals Hope to Leave Their Mark in Paintball. Melanie Ho, 21 June 2006.
WARPIG – 2007 NPPL Huntington Beach Open. Contemporary coverage of the Pacific Paintball acquisition and new league management.
Los Angeles Times – H.B. Paintball Tournament Gets Another Shot. Candice Baker, 28 January 2009.
PBHub – NPPL 2011. Contemporary reproduction of the league's management announcement.
Social Paintball – NPPL Names New Commissioner. 24 January 2012.
Los Angeles Times – Paintball Tournament Smaller but Still a Blast. Anthony Clark Carpio, 8 April 2014.
Paintball Media Magazine – April 2026, Hall of Icons Induction Coverage. p. 95.

External links