Patrick Lyon, Staff Writer

 

One of the most potent desires of mankind has has been the the passion to achieve a novelty.  We all want to be the first or the only one ever to do x, y or z, as if we belonged on the pages of a Hammacher Schlemmer catalog.  Some find novelty in formulating new theories of the universe, but for a certain subset of the American collegiate student body, novelty is found in chasing a canary-clad cross country athlete while handicapped by a broom jammed between his or her legs.

 

Yes, in the honored tradition of the American people stealing British sports, the latest acquisition has been the fantasy game of which children and nostalgic college students everywhere have been dreaming: JK Rowling’s quidditch.  No, it is not played while airborne or in the presence of demonic flying bowling balls, but judging by the fanaticism of the fans, this sport may well be on its way to recognition by the NCAA.  It has already inspired the next generation of incredibly easy console games.  Football, beware.

 

This sport is a bizarre and polarizing idea of the strangest components.  Seven players take the field for each team: three chasers, two beaters, a keeper and a seeker.  There is also one neutral athlete who carries a tennis ball.  The chasers score points for their team by throwing a ball called the “quaffle” through hoops on the opposing side of the field, and each team’s keeper attempts to stop them.  The two beaters keep the players’ heads down by throwing dodgeballs at the opposing team, and the runner with the tennis ball (AKA “golden snitch”) spends the game running away from the seekers of the two teams.  If the seeker catches the snitch, then the seeker’s team is awarded thirty points and the game is ended, but this is extremely difficult, as every player but the snitch must hold a broom between his or her legs at all times.

 

This sport, fascinatingly, is far more popular than one might expect.  Since its 2007 inception at Middlebury College, it has expanded to encompass more than 1000 teams in 13 countries, and it shows no signs of slowing down.  Many of these teams annually compete in the Quidditch World Cup (which, oddly enough, is won every year by Middlebury), and this sport continues to draw interest from all quarters.  It has received attention from Saturday Night Live and in the media of five different countries in 2010 during the fourth World Cup.

 

Notre Dame adopted this sport several years ago, and since then it has continually held a small but dedicated group of fans and players. If you don’t wish to play, then watching others play is entertaining as well.  Besides, there are far worse ways to spend time avoiding homework.

 

Whatever the rhyme or reason may be behind this sport, it continues to draw interest, admiration and bemused stares from all passersby.  It is an intriguing game, so if you ever happen to see Notre Dame’s quidditch team at work in the coming months, please, do not gape.  It is rude, and they will probably hex you.

 

If you are interested in signing up for the quidditch team, email Makayla Manta at mmanta@nd.edu.

Patrick Lyon is a freshman PLS major. You will frequently find him absently staring into the stratosphere or silently talking to himself, but don’t ever let that appearance mislead you.  He is really a great guy.  He told me so himself. Contact him at pylon@nd.edu.