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Pro Paintball player of the week: Aaron Tholey
This week’s pro paintball player of the week is Aaron Tholey. Aaron has been in the pro ranks for a few years now and has played with several top pro paintball teams including Chicago Aftershock and Sacramento XSV. Most recently, Aaron and his buddy Tommy O’Donnell have built a pro team of their own, Indianapolis Mutiny. Baca Loco from VFTD recently caught up with Tholey for an interview. Read on for an inside look at the life of a Mid-West pro paintball player.
Name: Aaron Tholey
Age: 27
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Occupation: Paintball some how/some way.
Family: Amber(sister), Deez(dog)
General interests other than paintball: I’m really into music and the culture surrounding it. Tattoo’s and art in general. Built cars and bikes, Jiu Jitsu (not MMA). Hockey, Firearms, and of course the most important; family and friends.
1. What was your first paintball experience and who introduced you to the game?
I actually found it with a buddy of mine, we were very young. It started out with us playing nerf. After lots of cheating we decided we needed something that could identify if your hit. We did yard work all summer and bought cheap pump guns. I was hooked ever since. That was over 13 years ago now.
2. What team(s) do you play for now?
Indianapolis Mutiny (NPPL), Sacramento XSV (PSP), Kingsey Falls Kamikaze’s (CXBL)
3. What teams have you played for in the past?
Vintage, Them, Division, Impulse, Ignition, Texas Storm, Studio City Ice Men, Miami Rage, Miami Effect, Miami Hatecrew, Philly Americans, New Jersey Jesters, RNT, Chicago Aftershock, Sacramento XSV, Geelong Extreme, Kingsey Falls Kamikaze’s and Indianapolis Mutiny.
4. What role do you play on your current team?
Off the field I look out for our squads best interest. On the field I’m just another soldier.
5. Who are your favorite paintball players?
Wow. There are so many. I admire a lot of the old guard: Old Aftershock, Lockout, Bob Long’s Ironmen, and Strange. All of Mutiny. Player wise: Ryan Moorhead, Nate Cota, Dan Norcross, Adam FarEY, Z. Long, Markus, Bwing, and Damien Ryan. It should also be noted that Damien is the best player in the world.
6. What’s your best paintball experience or memory?
Starting a Pro team with all my friends, with no money or help and actually making it. No one has any idea what we have been through.
7. What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done in order to play paintball?
I hate to say this but I make the rounds of the old folks homes dancing with octogenarians for cash under the table. [May not be Aaron's actual answer because he may have missed this question. I'm just saying.]
8. What is the single most important lesson the up and comer needs to learn?
“Play Smart, not Hard.” Frank Connell taught me that when I was on Philly through a really cool lesson. I also think that you need to play for the right reasons and check yourself at the door.
9. What keeps you playing paintball?
I fucking love it. Plain and simple.
10. Do you have any superstitions related to playing paintball?
Yes actually. Before I went pro one of the guys who helped me along the way gave me a first generation brand new flying skulls Sandana headband. I brought it home and pinned it high up on my wall in my room where I could see it everyday. I made it my goal that I would wear it one day and it was my reward once I became a pro player. Once I achieved that, I’ve worn it ever since. After we won Texas NXL I had my mom sew the words, “Never Forget” on the sweat band on the inside. Now every time I play right before I put my head band on I look at those words and take a few seconds to remind myself and “Never Forget” where I came from, why I play this game, and what I have to do on the field. I also think headbands need to be given to you by someone you look up to or admire. In a way they are sacred to a paintball player and I think that kind of thing is overlooked these days.
This article was authored by Justin – who has written 876 paintball news and gear articles.
Justin was introduced to the game of paintball in ’96. Since then, he has been actively involved in promoting and playing in recreational and tournament paintball.
26 Comments
Tholey is a fucking dick….
super chill, haha
this guy will power bomb the shit out of you
It should also be noted that Damien is the best player in the world.
truth be told.
Good stuff Brother! I am proud to say we are friends and team mates! PSP here we come!
dude has been around the block and deserves to play pro all the way. guys like him make the sport.
glad to see him back on XSV, and thats a pretty cool “superstition” story
Who the fuck is “Damien Ryan”? I know a Damian Ryan who is really good player… but Ive never heard of this “Damien” fellow.
Scrub…. if anyone has actually watched thoely play, you would see that he is horrible
I’m proud to say my headband was given to me by A.T. ;)
hatehatehatehatehatehate
Tholey is super chill, and pretty good at the paintball shooting game.
salute the hate commander
damian did some crazy stuff in PHX, but 2-3 penaltys in the finals for getting his loader blown up while shooting cross handed ( its all the rage these days) probably costing his team the event. That gets him a DQ in my book.
tholey is meh at best.
cool story at the end
obv hes good if he’s a pro player. and with the history he has. you j9ust sound stupid to say that he is a bad player.
Hollar for a dollar cousin – good to see.
Tholey is a lying sack of shit and sucks. Look at how many teams he has been on…. Can’t stay to one team…
Pro paintball is just a bunch of politics. put in your time and you can be whatever you want.
you just mad cause your part of the back stabbin bitch crew. hate hate hate
Still don’t know how this guy is pro. One of the worst pro one v. one players in the U.S.
All I remember about Aaron is getting sniped from outta nowhere in Whaley’s field. That was 13 years ago. He’s living the dream we all had growing up.
Haters, put your real name up before you talk shit. You no testicle faggots.
This is my real name you cock sucking faggot. Tholey sucks, get over it.
someone is mad because they’re not a PRO! QUIT BITCHING! AARON IS MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN YOU GUYS AND ME! Quit the HATE
You know, Aaron’s sitting back laughing at all of this. He plays paintball for a living, plain and simple. Its so easy to hate on someone who lives his life how you wish you could live it. If you think he’s shit, then tell him he’s shit to his face. If you think he’s horrible at one on ones, then challenge him to a duel. I guarantee he would be more than happy to participate in this challenge.
This is what paintball has come to, people talking shit. People saying this person sucks, this person doesn’t deserve to be pro. Paintball isnt about that. Its not about what team you’re playing for, or how many tournaments you’ve won. Its about playing for yourself and with your brothers. He hasnt forgotten where he came from, and thats all that really matters.
Tholey, nothing but love my good friend!
I’ve never met Tholey in person because I have not lived in MN since I started playing paintball (I’m in the USAF) but I have friends and family who play paintball with Tholey. And everyone who I know who has shared the field with him have nothing but good things to say about him. I hope to meet him this July when I go to MN for a visit.
There is no reason what-so-ever to hate Tholey. Let the man live his life the way he wants to.
Tholeyman is a badass, on and off the field. GL this season bro
I remember practicing with Tholey years ago and hanging out with him. He is a good guy. I dont see why people feel the need to talk poorly about him because he is being recognized. He has been a solid player for years and has a tremendous heart. Old School Hate Crew bro, keep it up.
Think before you type family reads this stuff. How would you feel or your family feel reading anything negitive about you? If you didn’t ‘like’ Aaron the day you met him maybe he was having a bad day. None of us can be at our best every day. Calm down and know what matters is in a persons heart, Aaron has a good heart. Stop dreaming, live the dream.