Editing Chicago Aftershock (section)

== History ==

=== Formation (1991–1992) ===

Aftershock was formed in the spring of 1991 through the merger of two established Midwestern tournament teams, [[Lords of Discipline]] and [[Scream (paintball team)]]. [1]

Lords of Discipline was an established 15-man and 5-man tournament team led by Steve Copeland, while Scream was a developing team led by [[Renick Miller]]. The two organisations had competed against one another at regional and national tournaments before discussing a merger. [1]

The original Aftershock roster included Miller, Copeland, Gary Noblett, John "Spud" Jackson, Steve Elbrecht, Ryan Northrup, Rob Northrup, Fred Eicke, Donna Eicke, Tim Brown, Bruce Tognetti and Michael Karmin, among others. [1]

The new team competed nationally during 1991 and 1992 while developing its roster and playing style.

=== Dominance during the 1990s ===

Aftershock's major breakthrough came in 1993 following the addition of [[Danny Love]] and Mike Bruno. That season, the team won the Boston Open, the World Cup and the International Masters, including both 5-man and 10-man competition. [1]

Aftershock became one of the most successful teams of the NPPL professional 10-man era, competing against organisations including the [[Ironmen]], [[All Americans]] and [[Avalanche]]. [2]

The team won the professional 10-man division at the 1996 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida. [4]

Further World Cup victories followed in 1998 and 1999, establishing Aftershock as one of the leading teams of the decade. [5][6]

In the 1999 World Cup, Aftershock defeated the Southern California Ironmen in a decisive finals match. The following year, the Ironmen reversed the result, defeating Aftershock on their way to winning the 2000 World Cup. [7]

Prominent players during this period included Danny Love, Mike Bruno, Todd Adamson, Billy Ceranski, Gary Noblett, John Jackson and Markus Nielsen. [2]

=== Final years of NPPL 10-man (2000–2002) ===

Aftershock continued competing successfully as tournament paintball increasingly shifted towards artificial bunker fields and new competitive formats.

The team's home field was [[Badlandz Paintball Field]] in Crete, Illinois, which hosted major NPPL Chicago Open tournaments. [8]

In 2001, Aftershock won the professional 10-man division at the NPPL Atlantic City Gambler's Open and secured the NPPL professional season championship. [9][10]

The published 2001 professional roster listed Todd Adamson as captain, alongside Mike Bruno, Billy Ceranski, Manny Francia, Dan Holmes, Roland Isaac, Kenny Klamper, Danny Love, Mark McManus, Marcus Nielson, Greg Pozzi, Ronnie Simpkins, Ralph Sotelo and Ryan Williams. [11]

Aftershock won the professional 10-man division at the 2002 PSP/NPPL World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida, the final World Cup of the original NPPL 10-man era. The team finished fourth in the overall 2002 professional season standings. [12][13]

=== Professional X-Ball era ===

Following the decline of professional 10-man competition, Aftershock continued competing in the developing X-Ball format, including events organised by [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP).

The team underwent numerous roster changes during the 2000s and early 2010s. A particularly significant transition occurred after the 2011 season, when Brad McCurley, Drew Templeton, Damien Ryan, Chris Sosine and Zack Patient moved to [[Infamous (paintball team)|Los Angeles Infamous]]. Team captain [[Nick Slowiak]] also departed before the 2012 season. [14]

Despite these changes, Aftershock continued competing in professional paintball.

=== Modern competition ===

Aftershock has participated in both professional X-Ball and classic-format tournaments during the 2020s.

The team finished second at the 2024 NXL Mid-Atlantic Major in professional X-Ball competition. [3]

Aftershock has also achieved success in the International Classic Paintball League, which organises tournaments using traditional 10-man and other classic formats.

In 2025, Aftershock won the professional divisions of the ICPL Old Bay Classic and Pittsburgh Open Classic. The team repeated its Pittsburgh victory in August 2026, finishing first among 14 teams in the professional division. [3]

Aftershock also competed in the 2026 NXL professional season, finishing ninth at the Lone Star Open in September. [3]

=== Return to professional competition under Todd Adamson ===

Ahead of the 2024 season, Chicago Aftershock announced its return to the professional NXL division under the ownership of former team player Todd Adamson.[16]

The team entered a sponsorship agreement with [[DYE Precision]], which supplied playing equipment. Todd Martinez was appointed head coach for the 2024 professional campaign.[16][17]

The organisation continued competing in both professional X-Ball and traditional 10-player paintball.

=== 2026 ICPL professional season championship ===

Chicago Aftershock won the '''2026 International Classic Paintball League professional 10-man season championship'''.

The team recorded the following results:

{| class="wikitable"
! Tournament
! Result
|-
| Golden State Classic
| 2nd
|-
| Windy City Classic
| 2nd
|-
| Pittsburgh Open Classic
| 1st
|-
| Classic Cup
| 2nd
|}

Under the ICPL ranking system, each team's three highest event scores contributed towards the season championship.

Aftershock accumulated 292 points, finishing ahead of [[Brimstone Smoke]] and the [[All Americans]], which both recorded 286 points.[18]

This championship extended Aftershock's record of success in traditional 10-player tournament competition.

=== 2026 NXL competition ===

Aftershock also participated in the 2026 [[National Xball League]] professional X-Ball season.

Through the Lone Star Open in September, its results were:

{| class="wikitable"
! Event
! Professional placing
|-
| Tampa Bay Open
| 17th
|-
| Mid-Atlantic Open
| 16th
|-
| Midwest Open
| 11th
|-
| Lone Star Open
| 9th
|}

Following the fourth event, Aftershock occupied 13th place in the NXL professional standings with 297 points.[19]

The 2026 World Cup was scheduled for November and was not included in these standings.