Editing Lords of Discipline (section)

== 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 (paintball team)|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]