Dave Youngblood

David "Dave Youngblood" DeHaan is an American former professional paintball player, tournament organiser and equipment manufacturer. He is best known as a member of the original Ironmen and the co-founder of DYE Precision, established in California in 1994.[1][2]

DeHaan was an influential figure in American professional paintball during the 1990s, combining tournament participation with equipment development and event promotion. He was associated with the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) and the Southern California tournament scene.[3][4]

Paintball career

Early involvement

DeHaan became involved in paintball during the 1980s in Southern California.

A contemporary Los Angeles Times article published on 18 October 1990 identified him as a 20-year-old player from Lawndale, California, who worked for Carter Machine, the paintball equipment workshop operated by Earon Carter.

The article also identified him as a paintball referee trainer and described his distinctive playing appearance, which included wearing a formal suit rather than conventional camouflage clothing.

By this period, DeHaan was already using the nickname "Youngblood".[1]

His early involvement in equipment modification and tournament competition subsequently contributed to the establishment of his own manufacturing business.

Ironmen

DeHaan became a member of the original California Ironmen, one of the leading professional tournament teams of the early 1990s.

The team included players such as Bob Long, Shane Pestana and Marty Bush.

The Ironmen won three consecutive NPPL professional season championships from 1993 through 1995 and became closely associated with the Autococker manufactured by Worr Game Products.[5]

Contemporary coverage of the 1996 Paintball World Cup confirms that DeHaan was competing with the Ironmen while simultaneously operating a DYE equipment booth at the event.[3]

Following Bob Long's departure from the team in late 1996, the original organisation continued under the leadership of its remaining members.

DeHaan remained associated with the continuing Southern California Ironmen, while Long established a separate organisation known as Bob Long's Ironmen.

At the 1998 NPPL Chicago Open, contemporary reporting distinguished the two organisations as Dave Youngblood's Ironmen and Bob Long's Ironmen.[6]

DYE Precision

Establishment

In 1994, DeHaan and Rhonda DeHaan established DYE Precision.

The name DYE originated from Dave Youngblood Enterprises.

The business began by manufacturing aftermarket barrels for paintball markers from a garage workshop in California.[2]

The company's early products included precision-manufactured barrels, particularly the DYE Boomstick, which became one of its signature products.

DeHaan's experience as a professional player influenced the company's emphasis on developing equipment for competitive use.

By the 1996 World Cup, DYE was exhibiting barrels and clothing alongside other established paintball equipment manufacturers.[3]

Expansion

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, DYE Precision expanded beyond barrels into clothing, accessories, protective equipment and customised markers.

In 2003, DYE acquired the rights to manufacture and develop the Matrix electronic paintball marker from Generation E Sports.

The agreement allowed DYE to develop subsequent versions of the platform, leading to the DYE Matrix product range.[7]

DYE also established Proto Paintball as a separate equipment brand.

The company's later products included electronic markers, Rotor loaders, goggles and tournament accessories.

DeHaan remained associated with the company's leadership and product development as it expanded internationally.[2][8]

Tournament organisation

DeHaan also worked as a professional tournament promoter.

In March 1997, he produced the NPPL Las Vegas Desert Open, which was held alongside an event of the Great Western Tournament Series.

The tournament included professional 10-player competition and was won by the All Americans.[4]

In 2000, DeHaan organised the DYE Precision Los Angeles Open at SC Village in Corona, California.

The event replaced the traditional Las Vegas opening tournament on the NPPL calendar.

Held from 10 to 12 March 2000, it featured professional and amateur 10-player competition alongside five-player divisions.

Lockout won the professional 10-player competition.[9]

DeHaan was also involved in discussions between tournament promoters and professional teams during the restructuring of American paintball competition in 2001.

A contemporary NPPL organisational meeting identified him as the representative of the DYE Los Angeles Open.[10]

Civil proceedings

In November 2022, a civil lawsuit was filed in California against DeHaan and DYE Precision alleging sexual abuse and other misconduct. The complaint included allegations relating to DYE-associated work trips.

DeHaan and DYE denied the allegations in responses filed in November 2023.

A related federal insurance-coverage dispute documented the allegations and the defendants' denials in an order issued in October 2024.[11]

The state-court docket subsequently recorded a notice of conditional settlement in January 2025 and a request for dismissal of the action with prejudice in July 2025.[12]

The reviewed records do not establish a judicial finding on the underlying allegations.

Significance

DeHaan contributed to paintball through professional tournament participation, event organisation and equipment manufacturing.

His work with the original Ironmen connected him to the early development of professional semiautomatic tournament paintball.

Through DYE Precision, he was involved in the expansion of a specialist barrel manufacturer into a major international supplier of markers, protective equipment and accessories.

His tournament promotion activities also contributed to the development of organised professional competition in Southern California during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

References

External links