QUIDDITCH PLAYERS gather every Saturday at noon in Helmick Commons. The game is adapted from the popular Harry Potter series, and involves a lot of running and waving of brooms. photos courtesy of DRAKE UNIVERSITY QUIDDITCH ASSOCIATION
A hundred points for Drake! Gather your broomsticks and get ready for the newest organization flying into campus, Quidditch for Muggles. The sport of Quidditch is no longer bound to the magical world of Harry Potter books, video games and movies. Muggles can now participate, but due to limitation in flight, with their own adaptation of the rules.
Quidditch co-founder Michaela Stephan (PP2) explained how the magical sport had been initiated.
“My friend, Robert Garon (J2) saw a news clip about other colleges that play Quidditch,” Stephan said. “We thought it sounded like fun and that Quidditch should come to Drake.”
New organizations are encouraged by the Drake administration as a reflection of campus diversity. According to the Drake University Campus Life Web site, there are over 160 clubs and social student organizations with more than 20 intramural and club sports.
To start up a new club, a proposal is submitted to the Student Life Committee (SLC) of Student Senate. The committee then analyzes the request at a weekly meeting and, if passed, is moved to the full Senate meetings to be voted on.
“I anticipate completing this process with many groups this year. I know we already have seven organizations in the process, so I’m excited for what the year will bring,” Samantha Haas (AS3), SLC Senator said.
Establishing a new organization of any kind is never easy. The Drake University Quidditch Association has only flown into a few roadblocks.
“Organizing games has been a bit of challenge in the past, but I am hopeful that the new organizational system will resolve that problem,” Stephan said.
Quidditch is the soccer and football of the popular Harry Potter world. Unfortunately, flying would be a liability for the university and game rules are adapted to the physical limitations of Muggles. Instead of forwards, there are three chasers. It is their job to throw the quaffle – the scoring ball – into hula-hoops attached to chairs. Protecting the hoops, the keeper serves as the goalie.
The more aggressive players don’t play typical defense, taking on the violent role of beaters. While there is no hitting or kicking allowed, the two defensive players try to throw smaller balls at the chasers. If a hit chaser is in possession of the quaffle, they must toss it vertically in the air.
Quidditch games are based on a point system and last until the snitch is caught. Since there is no actual flying golden ball, the snitch is a yellow-dressed runner with a sock tucked into their pants. The one seeker, Harry Potter’s Quidditch position, has the job of capturing the snitch and end the game.
Organization of the sport, with team matchups and games, is like the intramural Ultimate Frisbee League. There isn’t much of a market for traditional Quidditch robes in the Des Moines area so players are asked to bring both a light and dark colored T-shirt. The seven-player teams are also asked to provide their own broomsticks. Games are played on Saturdays at noon in Helmick Commons. Co-founder Stephan hopes to have a spring tournament with the championship game during the Drake Relays.
Quidditch has flown to campus toward a crowd of anticipation. A signup at the Activities Fair and word of mouth have spread interest around the student body.
“I joined because it’s played now in over 25 different schools and it’s played in all the Ivy Leagues,” said quidditch player Shivali Shah (PP1).
The sport’s organizers hope that the number of participants will grow with time as game publicity increases.
“If you like Harry Potter, why wouldn’t you join?” Shaw said.
Stephan explained why she is attracted to the non-traditional sport.
“It is a great way to forget the problems of the world and have some fun on a Saturday afternoon. It is also an excellent workout,” she said.
Next time you are the mood for a new sport, gather seven of your Muggle friends together and play some Quidditch.
