Name: Tyler Harmon
Age: 20
Team: Oakland BLAST for the USPL/NPPL, San Diego AFTERMATH for the PSP
Tyler Harmon is one of those versatile players everyone needs on their team. He plays calm and cool, probably through the years of being taught by the likes of Bob Long. He has built up his gun skills to be able to play and match up with the legends of the sport. A kid in age but age is not a requirement in this sport. Being good at this sport, as Tyler is, was something he worked his tail off for. Let’s take a trip through the mind of Harmon in this interview he granted with a recent visit to the CatShack.
What has the past year of paintball been like for you?
The 2009 season has been an amazing year for both Oakland BLAST and San Diego AFTERMATH with multiple top three podium finished throughout the season in both professional leagues. Oakland BLAST placed in the top four of all four USPL/NPPL competitions, and San Diego Aftermath finished second at the PSP Chicago Open. This was by far one of the funnest seasons in my career because of all the amazing new people I have met on both teams and the many memories we have created together.
If you were giving one piece of advice to a new up and coming player what would it be?
My advice to a new up and coming player would be to love the sport for what it is and go as hard as possible every time you step out on the field with your marker and teammates. No matter what the circumstances are you must have faith in yourself and your teammates to become a successful paintball team.
Who got you into the sport and what is the story that goes along with that?
My uncle Gary got me playing paintball when I was about eleven years old and ever since that day I have been playing just about every weekend. I worked through the ranks of a local team in Modesto California where I live until I was about 13 years old and then began practicing with the Oakland Assassins. Around the age of 14 I had become a rostered player for the Oakland Assassins professional x-ball team and ever since that day have been a member of the Bob Long family. That’s exactly what they are to me, a family; we are not merely just a team. Recently this year I was able to find myself becoming a part of the AFTERMATH family and I have enjoyed every second of the experience. I think there is a lot of room to grow with this young and aggressive AFTERMATH team and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see the boys on top quite a bit more in the future. I only hope that I will be able to join forces with the Aftermath family in coming seasons so that we are able to manifest what we know can be ours with a little hard work.
To date, what has been your personal career highlight?
As of recently my personal career highlight would have to fall on being the 2009 USPL/NPPL SERIES CHAMPIONS with Oakland BLAST. I am also honored to be able to wear a GOLD PRO patch.
When you are not playing paintball what do you do to relax?
I like to play golf, basketball, go to the gym, run, ride my bike, and mostly be active before I ever think about relaxing. When I am ready to relax I’ll usually either watch some of my favorite TV shows or do some studying for my college courses. Weekends usually consist of throwing a few back and hanging out with friends while discussing the events that took place in the past week. I promise I’m doing good in school mom so don’t worry when you read this. SCHOOL IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY!
What motivates you to keep playing?
I love the sport of paintball and the teammates that go into battle with me on a consistent basis. We all sacrifice our mind and body to play this wonderful sport and now it has become a part of everything I am.
What is on your music play list?
A lot of Hip-Hop/Rap, Oldies, and Christian music. My favorite song right now is “No quitter, Go Getter” by Lil Wayne.
Other than your team who would you choose to round out your dream team, and why?
Obviously Mr. Wang, and Chris Lasoya because Chris executes people when they cheat. Also I would love to have Riley Sullivan back on the team and Lu Lu Blackburn. I haven’t played on a team with half the people I hope I will someday be able to play along side with. Everything plays out exactly as it is meant to so I can only hope for the best in the future.
What is your favorite bunker to play and why?
My favorite bunker to play is a mid-insert bunker where I am able to shoot and hopefully get an elimination off the break before gun fighting down a tape side and ending up as far down the field as I possibly can.
In our current economy what do you believe field owners should do to keep players coming out to play?
Field owners need to create a positive atmosphere of family fun and recreation to where a person or group of persons would give just about anything to be at the field with friends having a great day. As long as people are having fun and creating memories they will most likely come back again soon to have more great times.
If you could not play paintball anymore what would be your next step/job/hobby that you would pursue?
Paintball has become one with everything that I am. If for some tragic reason I were not able to play paintball anymore I would try and become the best digital paintball player to ever play the game.
Do you have any nick names? If so, how did you get them?
Mini Coop (when I first started playing pro for Bobby I was tiny like a Mini Cooper), T Harm (my name), Dr. Tharm (aftermath), Tarantula T (aftermath), T Bird (Oakland), Harmony…..I’m sure there are many more.
Where is your favorite place to grab a bite to eat?
My favorite place to go and grab a meal is a fine Mexican restaurant called “On The Boarder” and it is amazingly delicious!!
Your worst vice?
My worst vice would have to be being young. It’s hard to be a kid now a days!! I love my family and everything they have ever done for me. Paintball for me would not be possible without them. I tend to get in trouble now and then so my worst vice would have to be my friendly personality because sometimes it takes me down paths that should have had a danger sign in front of them to keep me out.
Anything you want to say to those who follow you?
I would like to thank anyone who has ever bought a paintball marker or tried the sport and gone out and shot people up as well as got shot up. This is a pretty amazing sport we have stumbled upon here in the past twenty years and it is because of people like you and I that it still exists and continues to thrive even in these terrible economic times. Thank you to all of the people who have supported me through all these years and have continued to root for teams like Bob Longs Assassins/BLAST and San Diego AFTERMATH even when the chips were down. All of that support turns into fire every time we step on the field to play an opposing team from cities around the country and thr world. As long as we can all remember why we started playing this sport and continue to have fun with the people we are blesses to play with I don’t see how such an enthralling hobby/lifestyle could ever die. Savepaintball.org
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better. I hope to see all of you at a paintball field at some point in my life. God Bless.
Sponsors:
Bob Long Technology, Sly Paintball Equipment, Contract Killer Clothing, Animalpaintball.com, Paintballgateway.com, JT USA, Capital Edge Paintball Park, Santa Clara Paintball, NXe, Prossfire punishment, Gen X Global, CP, Delta Paintball, Luxe, Pevs Paintball, Tanked, Rotor, Draxxus, and MIKE HINMAN
By Paul Forcier
