Like magic, Quidditch grows as college sport
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Middlebury College's Freshwater Plimpies Quidditch team, in pink capes, defends its golden goal against the Wildfire Whizbangs at Sunday's World Cup Quidditch Festival held at Middlebury College. The Freshwater Plimpies team members from left, Noah Mease of Williston, Margaret Clark, David Bell and goalkeeper Romany Redmond. Photo courtesy of Stephen Mease |
Toolbox
By Sarah Hinckley Rutland Herald - Published: November 15, 2007
MIDDLEBURY – As the setting sun spun red light, similar to the streak of a flying bludger ball, onto the Middlebury College campus, the Mollywobbles celebrated victory and geared up to capture a championship cup. "We played really well out there today," said team captain Charlie Hoffman. "We went out there and surprised a lot of teams. Hit 'em low and hit 'em hard."
On Sunday the first Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup Fall Festival took place at the college, with the championship match played against Vassar College. There were 12 teams from Middlebury, the most to enter a tournament since inception of the campus sport in 2005.
"They're engaged in a tantric dance known as Quidditch," one announcer said during the semi-final match.
It is a muggle-designed activity, inspired by the game played in the Harry Potter series by the students of Hogwarts School. Created by Middlebury junior Xander Manshel when he was a freshman, broomsticks are required. They must be positioned between the legs of the players during play.
"You come up with a technique to hold the broom so it doesn't get in the way," said sophomore Matthew Labunka, captain of the Hungry, Hungry Hippogriffs. "It's kind of a fun sport. It attracts a different type of player. It's good for both boys and girls."
"The Hippogriffs are looking tired out there," says one announcer.
"Still, some excellent play going on from the Mollywobble offense," the other adds.
The game also involves a volleyball, playing the part of the Quaffle, that must be thrown through one of three hoops posted on each end line of the pitch to earn points. Beaters on each team throw bludger balls — picture red rubber dodgeballs — to distract members of the opposing team. And then there's the Snitch, who, if caught, is worth 50 points.
"This is sheer madness, things are really starting to heat up," said the announcer.
Junior Rainey Johnson, a member of the college cross-country team, has played the part of the Snitch since the game began at Middlebury College. Johnson's ability to weave, dodge and squirm from capture adds an element of excitement to competition.
"He's very talented," Labunka said.
Lauren Norford of Pittsford brought her three children to the college to check out the action. They arrived as the semi-final match was finishing and were preparing to watch the Middlebury College championship match.
"We actually pulled in and saw the Snitch hiding," Norford said in anticipation of the game. "We knew we couldn't take too much cold today."
Johnson is dressed in a bright yellow jersey and bright yellow shorts. The actual coveted object is what looks like a tail, hanging from the back of his shorts. It is a sock, weighted by a single tennis ball.
"I've been a Snitch for three years," Johnson said, pointing out a possible successor in Donnie Dixon. "He's the up and rising one, I'm the old vet."
At the beginning of each match, Commissioner Alex Benepe announces, "The Snitch is loose." At that time, Johnson sprints across the field and finds a strategic point from which to set up, waiting for the proper time to enter play.
Not only is it entertaining for spectators to watch the colorful capes — a required aspect of all teams' uniforms — fly, but the play-by-play announcing is what makes the match.
Founder Manshel and John Glouchevitch, both members of the campus improvisation comedy team, The Otter Nonsense Players, are behind the microphones.
"We've grown up watching the sport, now it's our turn to announce it," Manshel said. "We're doing our best to keep things interesting."
As the action begins for the Middlebury championship match, the Mollywobbles are taking on the Wildfire Whizbangs.
"This is looking to be a dirty match," Glouchevitch said. "I would dare to say the dirtiest."
Mollywobbles throw the Quaffle through a hoop for the first 10 points scored in the game.
"A lot of heat on that pass," Glouchevitch said. "That's one of their strengths."
Players maneuver down the field, tugging at each others' brooms, knocking each other out of the way and throwing bludger balls.
"Rough play from both teams out there," Glouchevitch said.
"Even the bench is getting beat up out there," Manshel said. "Tensions are low and tempers are high out there. This is going to be a match."
Interest in intercollegiate Quidditch is growing, which is proven with the inclusion of Vassar College. According to Benepe, Green Mountain College was hoping to join the Sunday festivities, but couldn't get a team together in time.
Students at the University of Vermont are putting together a team now, Benepe said, before listing off a number of other colleges throughout the region looking to join the phenomena.
"It's so fun," said Ellie Molyneux, a player for B.A.M.F., or Bad Ass Muggle Flyers. "The fact that it's becoming intercollegiate is so fun."
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