Logan McColloch: Through Injury and Adversity
As someone who has spent decades in this industry as a professional player, field owner, coach, and mentor, I’ve learned something important: great paintball players don’t just win games, they elevate the people around them. That’s exactly what Logan McColloch does. Logan is not just a competitive paintball player. He is a staple of our local and regional paintball community. He represents the values that keep this sport alive: belonging, work ethic, resilience, and respect for the next generation of players.
This is his story, told through his experiences, but shared through my perspective as someone who has watched players grow, fade, or rise into leaders. Logan has done the latter and continues to do so. – Aaron Tholey
Where It Started And Why It Mattered
Logan’s paintball journey began organically. A neighbor. A little convincing of parents. A first day filled with nerves, excitement, and just enough chaos to make it unforgettable. At just ten years old, Logan played his first game of paintball at XpHere Paintball Park in Faribault, Minnesota. That first match was woodsball players disappearing into trees, communication breaking down, and a young kid learning fast. He still laughs about mistakenly shooting his own teammate in the neck, and the entire group coming together afterward, laughing it off.
That moment mattered. Not because it was perfect, but because it showed him what paintball really is: a community first.
Why Paintball Stuck
After moving to a small town at a young age, Logan struggled to break into traditional sports circles. Paintball didn’t care where he came from or who he knew. If you showed up and wanted it, you belonged. That sense of belonging is something I’ve seen keep players in this game for decades. Logan felt it immediately and it’s something he still carries with him today. There’s a moment in every serious player’s journey when paintball stops being “just for fun.” For Logan, it came when he tried to buy his first electronic marker, a Smart Parts Ion and came up short. He was young, borrowing gear just to be there. Without hesitation, another player stepped in and covered the difference. That wasn’t charity. That was culture. That moment told Logan this sport takes care of its own, and it lit a fire in him. From then on, paintball wasn’t optional. It was who he was becoming and where he wanted to be.
Built by Mentorship
Logan’s development was shaped by people willing to invest real time, not just advice. Mike and Will Holst were instrumental in that process. They didn’t just open their facility to him they put in work alongside him. They trained. They traveled. They showed up. Mike would even drive to Logan’s house just to make sure he could get to the field. Too many players want results without understanding what consistent effort looks like. Logan learned early that growth comes from repetition, humility, and gratitude. For years, Logan spent nearly every weekend at the field. If he wasn’t playing, he was watching, studying, learning. Scraping together loose change just to buy a case of paint. He learned from experienced players who were willing to teach not just explain, but demonstrate. Those early years built a foundation that no shortcut ever could.
One of Logan’s greatest challenges and one that continues today has been injury. Instead of stepping away, he adapted. He learned to view the game differently: to study spacing, movement, and decision-making from the sidelines. Those injuries sharpened his mental game and forced growth as a player and as a person. That mindset is rare. And it’s one of the reasons he continues to progress.
A Defining Stretch at Vintage Paintball Park
Around 2018, Logan and his team were heavily involved in the VPS Series hosted at Vintage Paintball Park. They practiced relentlessly and consistently podiumed but championships remained elusive. That frustration changed how Logan approached the game. Losses stopped being excuses. They became lessons. That shift from frustration to ownership is when players take real steps toward leadership. I’ve seen it countless times, and Logan embodied it. Logan didn’t announce himself as a leader. Others recognized it first. Toward the end of his time with Rooster Crew, and later with Team Havoc at the NXL Windy City Open, teammates looked to him for direction, accountability, and trust. That’s how real captains emerge.
Leadership taught him what many players never fully grasp: when you’re leading, everything matters. Preparation. Communication. Energy. Accountability. Wins and losses fall on your shoulders.
Giving Back to the Next Generation
Logan understands something that keeps this sport alive: if we don’t welcome new players, we lose the future. He feels a responsibility to offer the same openness and support he received as a kid. That mindset is exactly what sustains strong local paintball communities.
Paintball gives Logan something nothing else does. It gives him peace. Purpose. An outlet. A place to reset mentally and emotionally. Rain, snow, heat it doesn’t matter. If paintball is happening, he wants to be there.
That kind of commitment can’t be taught. It comes from a love of the game. Success used to mean winning. Now, it means consistency. Growth. Seeing the same teammates return year after year. Building something that lasts beyond a single event or season. That perspective is the mark of maturity.
Looking Ahead
As Logan recovers from another injury, he’s turning his focus to coaching and leading Team Havoc, aiming to elevate the team to the next level. His passion and commitment are unmatched. Logan’s recovery has been smooth, and he’s transforming his life to be the best version of himself and doing his best to check the four corners: spiritually, mentally, financially, and physically. He’s doing what most players won’t: waking up early, training intensely, eating right, and pushing his limits every day. He’s lost weight, built strength, and sharpened his skills and is coming back bigger, faster, and stronger than ever.
For anyone looking to join a top-notch paintball organization, Team Havoc is a must-see. They’ll be at all advanced play sessions at Vintage Paintball Park, showing what dedication and teamwork look like in action. Logan leads by example, proving that hard work and perseverance always pay off.
When Logan’s paintball career is eventually looked back on, he hopes it reflects two things: that he played paintball at a high level, and that he helped the game grow in a positive way. As someone who has seen many players pass through this sport, I can say this confidently: Logan McColloch is exactly the kind of player our paintball community needs.
Written by Aaron Tholey
Explore More at Vintage Paintball Park
Looking to improve your paintball skills or join a competitive team? Vintage Paintball Park in River Falls, Wisconsin hosts advanced play sessions, tournaments, and local events for players of all levels. Check out Team Havoc, led by Logan McColloch, and discover why our park is a hub for the Minnesota paintball community. From woodsball to speedball, gear rentals, and pro-level coaching, we have everything you need to elevate your game. Visit us at vintagepaintballpark.com for schedules, events, and more.
