Sam Caldwell, Paintball Icon has Lung Cancer lets give him Some Love

[AGD]

[RogueFactor]

Sam:

You must be one hell of a guy if Tom speaks so highly of you. Thanks for all you did for the sport of paintball. You will be in my prayers. Godspeed.

Shawn
aka RogueFactor

[SCpoloRicker]

*bookmarked*

Paintball has always been, for me, at least partially about the pleasure I get out of meeting people who are so willing to give freely, solely for the purpose of helping others have a kick with friends.

I've never come across Mr. Caldwell personally, but I'm sure many of the people I've met through paintball and AO share this giving spirit.

Best wishes, and good luck.

[Jimmykaboots]

Being new to paintball and automags, I do not know him either. Yet I wish him the best of luck and to thank him for what he has does to the industry of paintball. Even here I am far away in Canada, far far from the states, I thank you once again for making paintball what it is today.

Jimmy(Francisco)

[Shane-O-Mac]

Sam,

Every time I had the opportunity to talk to you and Jim was a joy, and I will always remember that you guys brought class to the paintball tournaments, much more so than the others. I was not aware about your contributions, but Tom pointed it out, and I was not surprised. Those things you helped bring to paintball, are things that will paintball will never be without. I hope and pray that things go better for you, and hope to see you in the future.

Shane Kinzel
Ex-Total Greif member

[Beemer]

Well we will just have to tell him that we do and do.

Sam Caldwell the main force behind Lively Productions. You were Great man. When ever we as players had a complaint, there was no talking with Jim, he would always say you will have to talk to Sam on that and we did and you LISTENED. We couldn wait to play the next tourny
because we knew you would fix the problems and make it better and you always did.

You might not remember me but I remember You. You might remember our team. S.O.B.s[Sams Omega Blasters]

Alot of us old farts are still around and still play and still remember.

How could we forget tournys like The Music city open. 1986,87,88,89,90. What a riot.
Or The first ever I believe International Tourny. The International Masters.

Ya it is all different now then the visions you and others had then but remember you made a difference.

We Remember and we Care. Dont quit fighting.

[Swampy]

Duder I'm so sorry. I've lost a great friend (Ben Shan-door sry can't spell his last name). I remember how his cancer started after a game.

"Hey my knee #$%*in hurts" - Ben
"stop being a sissy" - Us

Turns out to be a tumor in his leg that later took his life.

[StygShore]

best wishes....

Sam,

Our hopes and prayers are with you - You did a lot to bring paintball forward instead of just keeping us all weekend warriors and militia members hiding out in the trees playing war.

You were the beginnings of turning Paintball into a recreational sport as opposed to something those "weird guys" played.

I believe I saw a statistic that stated Paintball was played by more people last year than any sport except baseball - that is quite an accomplishment from where things were 10-15 years ago.

Thank you for all you have done for paintball and paintball players.



Styg

[Old S.O.B.]

Sam Caldwell

Sam,

Along with my IPPA membership card #1187 (member since January 1990), I still have my "Lively Productions Tournament & Trade Shows" Head Referee certification card. Badge #H143 expired in January 1996. But, the integrity and honor your rules brought to the sport remain instilled in me and the many who continue to respect such fundamentals.

I always took heat for calling out a Ron Kilbourne, a Bob Long or a Fred Schultz during a major tournament. But, after the standard "*****ing & moaning" that comes with the job, those same guys always came back to me and acknowledged "Good call, Biff." I even pulled my own captain's arm band in a semi-finals and boy did I catch it, when I got back to the hotel.

Whether it was a Lively event, an NPPL playoff or an Amateur Open finals, I got a lot of respect as a judge. The players knew I had integrity, I stood by my calls and I never made a call that I didn't believe was deserving. They did not know that I got all that from you.

Wish we had done some joint ventures, together. I always enjoyed playing at your tourneys and I especially enjoyed judging your events, where the rules mattered.

I never tolerated cheaters, but my friend this is one Old S.O.B. who would gladly put you back in the game, if you can wipe this hit.

Biff Thiele
S.O.B.s 1986 - 1997
First game in Joliet, Illinois shooting Forest Brown's bootleg paint in 1981.

[anomoly40]

As a newcomer to the sport of paintball I am deeply saddened that this is happening to one of our "forefathers". The short time this sport has been around and the distance it has covered is amazing and shows the dedication of great people like you.

Thank you Sam.

[aqua_scummm]

Mr. Caldwell,
I never met you. To be honest, I have never even heard your name before, but for someone like Tom Kaye to speak so highly of you, I can only imagine what you have done for our sport. I am fanatic in the way that I feel we should all be working to improve the sport everyday, making it more fun, and more safe, for all that play it. I greatly appreciate your contributions, and wish you the best. I don't know if you're religious, but your now in my prayers. Don't let the lung cancer beat you though. Show that it doesn't change who you are, a fun loving paintball fan. I wish you the best of luck, and my fingers are crossed If you had the strength to control a bunch of rowdy young adults who play paintball tournaments, you should be able to control a few rogue cells in your body, right? Good luck, man, I hope to hear some positive updates soon.
Matthew "aqua_scummm" Pace

[robnix]

Sam,

I'm one of those that doesn't know you. I'm also one of those that started playing this sport long after you helped get it started. When Tom posted this I did a bit of googling to learn more about who you are and your contributions to the sport.

I'd like you to know that I truly love this game. There's not much better than getting together with my buddies for an afternoon of competative fun out in the woods. Well, maybe the fishtales we tell later over a few beers. In a few years my son will be old enough to play and I hope he'll want to go hit the field with me so I can teach him about fair play, honor, and sportsmanship in a game that relies on all three for it's success.

My father is currently undergoing chemo for his cancer right now. It's a hard road, but he'll make it. The newer treatments that are available have proven to be a godsend. All of our wishes go out to you for a recovery as well.

Know that you're in a strangers thoughts.

Rob

[Temo Vryce]

I have been playing paintball since the late 80's, unfortunately I don't know who Sam is, but I do know that Tom isn't one to give praise like that to just anyone. I have seen first had a local tournament series that went from medals and bragging rites to cash prizes and a "Gotta win at any cost" attitude. I think that I would have liked to play in your series Sam. I don't care if I'm first place or last place as long as I can have some fun and make some new friends and shoot the... crud with old friends.

[SN toter]

Sam I don't know you, but I wish I could have had the honor. I've been in the sport sine the early 90's, and like most of the folks here on AO and Mcarterbrown, we really do appreciate all of the work and dedication that people like you and Tom gave us. You will be in my prayers,
Jason

[manike]

Sam,

I was very sorry to hear this. I know the difficulties and painful times associated with fighting cancer from my Father's fight against it.

I wish you the best in everything, and thank you for your contributions to paintball.

Simon 'manike' Stevens