MONTHLY SEER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 9

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

Back to School Guide The quidditch personality spectrum Rankings and the 2011 World Cup

SEER

September / October 2011 Volume 1 • Issue 9 EDITOR IN CHIEF COVER CONTRIBUTORS

Alicia Radford Jerry Wang Laurie Beckoff, Chris Beesley, Alex Benepe, Zara Fishkin, Will Hack, Dan Hanson, Andrea Hill, Max Kaplan, Kathryn Mudgway, Alicia Radford, Kathleen Richter, Katie Stack, Kristy Wright

ART DIRECTOR

Alicia Radford

LAYOUT DESIGN

Alicia Radford Andrea Hill

ADVERTISING

Alicia Radford To advertise in the Seer, contact alicia.radford@internationalquidditch.org

The Seer is published by the International Quidditch Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the IQA. The IQA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that governs the sport of quidditch and inspires young people to lead physically active and socially engaged lives. www.internationalquidditch.org

Contents From the editor 3 Letters 4 Fall tournaments 5

Back to School How quidditch players can make their glorious return 8 Training guide 9 Planning a tournament 11 Have broom, will travel 13

World Cup Rankings and the 2011 World Cup 19 The teams 21

Team Spotlights Flying beyond high school 23 A Victorian era of quidditch 24 The quidditch personality spectrum: from nerd to jock 25

Players’ Corner Come on, ref! 31 An in-depth look: the snitch 34 Skills from other sports: dodgeball 37

Lifestyles Player of the Month: Danny Mendelson 39 A Very Harry Halloween 40

From the editor To all those starting a new school year, welcome back!

To those who, like me, are navigating that unsettling world of full-time employment (there was a summer?) — well, there’s the long weekend of Thanksgiving to look forward to, right?

One year ago I sat down to make the first ever issue of “the Monthly Seer,” which was released on October 1, 2010. It was nine pages long. Through the hard work and dedication of many writers, contributors, and as many all-nighters as there have been subsequent issues, the Seer is now a fully-fledged magazine. A Salon writer even called it “a smart, funny magazine” in April (you can imagine how I jumped around after reading that and immediately called my parents). Looking back through past issues, it’s amazing how much the IQA has accomplished in one year.

This fall marks the most ambitious period in the history of real-life quidditch. With four big tournaments in October and the fifth annual World Cup this November, I can’t wait to see where the next year takes us. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Please get somewhere comfy and settle in; I think this just might be the best Seer yet.

Alicia

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Letters Hello, My name is Timothy Rogers and I am a 5th grade teacher from North Carolina in a town called Angier. I just wanted to tell you guys that after my class finished the end of year test, we decided to learn about a game I saw on the internet called Quidditch. I was always a Harry Potter fan so imagine my surprise when I found out there was an actual game.

Well, we played a few together without brooms and without tackling. I made them play one handed to simulate the effect. I even crafted very ugly hoops into goals. Another teacher was curious and ask about it and so did another. Today we finished our first Bulldog Quidditch Cup tournament complete with trophy and three teams of students.

They all had a blast. This has lead two more teachers to ask to join in on our Harry Potter literacy club and Quidditch team at school. Next year, we are going to have 5 teams competing and make the Bulldog cup a bigger and more elaborate event.

I just wanted to thank you for pushing this game and putting it out there for people to play. We had a great time and the kids are asking if I will get a middle school team started. Look at what you guys have started now.

Good luck in the future, Timothy Rogers 5th Grade Teacher Angier Elementary, NC

The Seer • September / October 2011

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FALL TOURNAMENTS

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

FALL TOURNAMENTS

Canadian Cup Where: Carleton University, Ottawa, ON When: October 29, 2011

Middlebury Classic Where: Middlebury College, VT When: October 16, 2011

Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup Where: Chestnut Hill College, PA When: October 15, 2011 To summarize Chestnut Hill College’s forthcoming Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup, junior Beater KayCee Flore cut to the chase: “It’s going to have more magic.”

Last year’s Cup was a certifiable success. Seven visiting teams hailed from four states on the east coast, from Virginia’s Christopher Newport University to New York’s Vassar College, some staying on campus the night before after several-hour bus rides. The 200-player procession through campus that kicked off the event ended on the soccer field, where players were met with spectators including local children and their families, Chestnut Hill students and alumni, and the college’s President (plus her dogs). Entertainment included polished routines from quidditch cheerleaders and a “Very Potter Musical”-inspired performance at halftime.

The Cup is situated somewhere between a homegrown local tournament and a World Cupstyle spectacle. Its planning board - made of of long-time players - pledged to keep registration free and to provide nearly all equipment, leaving no team at a financial or physical disadvantage; a middle-of-the-road, big-city location and overnight accommodations offer a relatively easy trip for most. Familiar, seasoned teams like Vassar and Chestnut Hill (World Cup opponents and allies since 2008) met thennewcomers like the unstoppable Stony Brook University. The mix made for a competition too friendly to be disheartening and too diverse to be a neighborhood round robin.

This year, Chestnut Hill’s quidditch program - a large force on a campus of about a thousand undergraduates - will play host to upwards of seven visiting teams. Much of this year’s Cup will mimic last year’s: games will be played on the idyllic campus’s soccer field (with a perfect view of the Hogwarts-esque St. Joseph Hall in the background; cleverly designed t-shirts and other merchandise will be for sale; the sidelines will be crawling with media looking to interview players and fans. The change, as Flore notes, will be in the event’s culture. “This year is a lot bigger than last year,” she said of the Cup. “It’s not gonna be just about quidditch, but it will delve into more Harry Potter-style magic.

You’ll never know what will happen. You could be walking to the Cup and see a wand battle.”

Mask & Foil, the college’s drama club, will provide actors dressed as Potter characters both at the event and in the Philadelphia’s village of Chestnut Hill, which will transform into Hogsmeade for the weekend. With cobblestoned streets and quaint, historic buildings and shops (including the Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop and O’Doodle’s Toy Store), it may be the perfect place to replicate the whimsy of Potter’s world.

The Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup will be held on October 15 from 12 to 6 PM, with free admission for guests, on-campus parking, and easy access via public transportation. For more information, contact Stephanie Reif at ReifS@chc.edu, or look for details at www.chc.edu in coming weeks. n — Max Kaplan

The Seer • September / October 2011

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Back to School How quidditch players can make their glorious return

By Zara Fishkin

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

Y

our summer with the vile Dursley clan has recently come to a close. Whether that means back to college, school, or remote magical academy, every new year comes with new trends, expectations, and adventures to be had. To help you make the most of your year, I’m here with some advice to see you off to a great start.

Before you got to school, there was most likely a significant amount of preparation on your part— new clothes, new books, new quills (unless you are a Weasley and got stuck with hand-me-down robes and an anthropomorphic evil rat.) This fall season, I’m noticing a few trends among magical student athletes such as yourselves: gold and scarlet striped hats and scarves, heavy school uniforms, and quidditch t-shirts.

Trendy though they are, I do not necessarily find these clothing choices altogether practical. Although no matter what the season it is apparently always winter at Hogwarts, the same does not apply for the rest of us.

Take off your knits. You all looked unspeakably silly at the scorching Harry Potter premier. Only hipsters can get away with wearing scarves and silly hats at seasonally inappropriate times. Why not instead invest in spirited tanks and flippy floppies? Nothing says “I would totally root for Gryffindor if they were a real thing!” like themed beach apparel. I’ve also noticed that quidditch players seem to seldom take off their team tees. We know you play quidditch, and we know you are quite proud, but at some point, the layers of blood, sweat, tears, and more sweat need to have a little Tide and water party in your (mom’s) washing machine.

Now you’re at school. Your parents dropped you off and drove away as fast as they could because they were afraid that if they heard one more word about the upcoming World Cup they would cease to love you anymore, and they really do want to love you.

As you move your stuff into your new dorm, broom in tow, you give a comradely nod to your neighbor who is shouldering his lacrosse stick. He averts his eyes desperately. This season, there are a few must haves for your dorm room/off-campus apartment/ same old room in your parent’s house. A great way to jazz up your room is by mounting your broom—this time to the wall. With two Command brand Jumbo Hooks, you can proudly display the broom you always

borrow from your team without asking first. It makes for not only great decoration, but for a quick getaway should snatchers come a knocking. The next move-in necessity is a bulletin board. It’s a great place for tacking up reminders, keepsakes, and pictures of you and your friends, incase anyone ever has an inkling of a doubt that you don’t have any. Another great investment is a hamper with a lid. If you’re like me and only do your laundry about once every three weeks, it’s a good idea to keep clothes likely to launch an airborne nasal assault contained and out of sight. Your roommate will thank you.

By this point in your quidditch career, you probably have most of the basics for play (cleats, mouthguard, headband). But this school year, some trendsetting quidditch players are bringing some new equipment to the pitch. This year in my Nike drawstring bag, the first thing you’ll find is a poop ton of glow bracelets.

For some players, practicing all day is not enough. I will be out on the field all night as well. I haven’t told my team this yet, but I’m making nighttime practices mandatory on threat of banishment. Glow-in-the-dark tape will make all brooms, goals, and balls adequately visible, and the glow bracelets will indicate where to pass. In total darkness, your team will come to develop echolocation techniques that will give you a leg-up on the other team come game day. Also in my bag, you’ll find a squirt bottle with fake blood. When going up against other teams, there’s no better way to psych them out than with some artificial toughness juice.

Look good, feel good, as I always say.

The start of a new school year can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you really hunker down, neglect your school work, and pour everything you’ve got into quidditch, you’ll be on your way to a bright new future—a future of bruises, glory, and lots of cool new quidditch friends to replace the normal ones you will most likely lose shortly. Happy fall, everyone! n The Seer • September / October 2011

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Training Guide

By Kristy Wright

W

ith the competitive season approaching and a bigger-than-ever World Cup this year, competition in the IQA will be fiercer than a Hungarian Horntail. If you’re ready to lead your team as aggressively as Oliver Wood, here is a training guide from the IQA to prepare you for your first tournament.

There are two main categories for which captains should prepare their teams: physical fitness and sportspecific skills. This training guide is organized by subcategories of each section; however, depending on the strengths and weaknesses of your teams’ players, captains and coaches should adjust their attention appropriately to make the best use of practices.

STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE Once your team has a new roster, determining your players’ motivation and attention to fitness is the first important assessment. In some cases, leading the team through conditioning exercises is necessary. Relevant exercises include team runs for cardiovascular endurance, calisthenics (such as push-ups and sit-ups) for strength training, and plyometrics for muscular

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endurance. However, these exercises are time-consuming, and you may want to devote your practice time to team-only drills.

The team from Tufts University in Medford, MA uses their practice time to only focus on technical drills and scrimmages.

“Outside of practice, we encourage the players to work on strength and endurance on their own. The more you put in off the field, the more you’ll get out [of it],” said Zara Fishkin, a Tufts team member.

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The sport itself is very fun and entertaining, but when it comes down to it, we play to win, and to do that, we take practice quite seriously.”

To incentivize your team’s fitness, offer optional team runs outside of practice, or encourage a team trip to your school’s weight training room. You can also use a points system of fitness minutes, encouraging your teammates to train together and logging their workout times in a journal.

SPEED AND AGILITY Every position on the pitch demands these qualities. In addition to overall fitness, a competitive spirit can improve speed. Lead your team in sprinting drills at least once every other week to encourage aggressive speed. Here are some sample drills, but please note: each of these are

highly intensive and not suitable for every fitness level.

“Suicides”: At a football field, sprint from the endline to the 10-yard line.

Immediately sprint back to the endline.

From there, sprint from the 20-yard line and back. Repeat until reaching the 40yard line and back. Do not slow down as the distances increase. Encourage your players to race each other.

Hill sprints: Find a steep hill and use cones to mark the bottom and the top of the hill. Have your team sprint up the hill and jog back down.

Tabata sprints: Use an open field or a track and encourage your players to spread out and choose their running direction.

Players sprint at maximum output for 20 seconds and walk/jog slowly for 10 seconds continuously for four minutes.

Blow a whistle at every increment. Agility develops from both speed and balance.

Organize a “ladder drill” by placing each broom about two feet apart so that they resemble a large rope ladder placed on the ground. Each player runs as fast as possible through it, first with one foot in between each broom, then two in one space and one in the next (think hopscotch), then slide shuffling around them.

For balance, lead a session with everyone standing on one foot, raising the free leg in front, to the side, and behind, and repeat the exercise with their eyes closed. This improves balance and engages the muscles around the shin and ankles, which also helps prevent ankle injuries.

sprinting with a broom).

Kara Ribeiro, the treasurer of the University of Massachusetts team, said this is an effective way to engage your team.

“Many of the drills we do are suggestions from team members. Though we have a ‘drill instructor,’ we think it’s important to keep the entire team involved and get their ideas. Plus, people are more willing to do a drill they recommended,” she said.

Keep in mind what is exclusive to each position and which isn’t.

Drills for everyone: • Dodging bludgers • Quickly returning to the play after touching home goals • Maneuvering, faking, and dodging around opponents Drills for keepers, chasers, and beaters: • Catching and throwing onehanded • Reaching a bludger or quaffle first • Tackles Drills for keepers and chasers: • Aligning an appropriate formation to score and defend • Intercepting passes • Marking players

TECHNICAL SKILL

Drills for beaters: • Aiming for mid-body throws while opponents are running, rather than at their feet or head • Quickly passing bludgers • Stealing bludgers from other beaters

When designing drills to develop quidditch skills, consider which movements are transferrable from other sports (such as throwing and catching with one hand) and which are unique to quidditch (such as

When running scrimmages, be aware of the rules of the game and your players’ tendencies.

“Whenever we run full scrimmages we make sure to have at least two refs to keep

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BACK TO SCHOOL an eye on things. We always go by the rules at practice, so that we don’t need to think about them at a tournament; following them comes naturally,” Riberio said.

STRATEGY Veteran team members and executives are crucial here as they provide insight into other teams and highlight what works during tournaments. However, if this is your team’s first competitive year, don’t count yourself out yet; strategy is specific to each team and their goals.

Drew Wasikoski is the captain and president of the Texas A&M Quidditch team. He said their goal is to make it to the World Cup final this year.

“Quidditch in Texas is indisputably

not lacking in competitiveness, and that is something our team takes very seriously,” he said.

“The sport itself is very fun and entertaining, but when it comes down to it, we play to win, and to do that, we take practice quite seriously.”

If your team has the resources, you can review video performances of previous seasons and share with your team, discussing and analyzing the plays. If not, every team should develop plays based on their roster. For example, who are your fastest players, and where should they run? Who are the most difficult to tackle? Who has deadly aim? Remember that the easiest set-up for plays is when the other team has just scored and the keeper has the quaffle.

Your plays should determine who

runs with the quaffle and where he/ she runs on the pitch with it. Consider which chasers can run alongside the quaffle and which can set themselves up for a pass or an assist. When on defense, where are your players when the beaters have both bludgers?

Where are they when they only have one? What happens when the keeper has stepped out of his zone and an opponent is charging up the pitch with a breakaway?

Ultimately, most of your team’s success is dependent on the talent you can recruit and the team’s chemistry.

However, as leaders, captains and coaches can use this training guide to improve and cultivate a team’s abilities as well as mentally prepare them for both the rigors and the fun of quidditch tournaments. n

Planning a Tournament

N

By Kathryn Mudgway

ow that school is in back session, the fall quidditch season is upon us. In addition to scheduling matches, teams and conferences will also begin organizing tournaments. But what does it take to create a tournament?

According to Kristina Moy, the IQA’s Northeast Regional Director and Convention Representative, there are four elements that organizers should keep in mind while they are in the process of creating the event: planning, considering the facts, fundraising, and getting your stuff.

One of the elements that organizers have to go through is the planning phase. This element is important because this is where the vision of the event is usually created and where most of the teamwork begins. When Moy worked on the UMass Veteran’s Tournament two years ago, she recruited people who ended up being the core group of organizers. If there is a team of organizers, jobs can be split up among members and one person won’t have to worry about planning the event all on their own. Tasks can

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range from PR to finance and meetings should be held often to make sure everyone is on the same page and to keep teams update to date about everything regarding the event. Don’t be afraid to ask athletes and other supporters to see if they would like to fill in as referees and/or help out at merchandise booths on game day. Don’t forget to create an agenda and timeline to remind everybody of what has been accomplished and what still needs to get done. Communication is everything!

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Another element that can easily be tied into the planning process of the event is the “considering the facts” phase. Where is the event going to be held? Is it located in a metropolis or out in rural country?

What type of tournament is this going to be? Is it going to be a small tournament or a big one similar to the World Cup? What type of teams are going to be allowed to participate? Is it just going to be college teams or can younger teams participate as well? Once that has been figured out, make sure to take a look at all of the ideal school’s schedules. Take note of when schools have finals and breaks and place the event at a date that seems convenient and realistic for everyone. Besides scheduling, research housing, weather, prizes, entertainment, city permits and event restrictions.

Once a clear vision of the event has been established, it’s time to figure out how to pay for it. While some tournaments

don’t make teams pay a registration fee, this will secure what teams are 100% committed to going and what teams are not. Sure, a registration fee can be useful to help fund some of the event, but it won’t pay for everything. Look around for local sponsors and ask the school to see if they can provide some assistance. Try to use this as a last resort, but depending on how long your group has been around for, out of pocket expenses may be necessary.

Event inventory will vary depending on what type of tournament your team is hosting. Here is an example of what types of things need to be included on the checklist: • EMTs and a first aid kit • Tables • Brooms and hoops (or ask other teams to bring them) • Headbands or bandanas • Water and/or other beverages

• • • • • • •

Available bathrooms Bleachers or seats for spectators PA system or megaphone Scoreboard and scorekeeper Commentators and referees Spray paint or wet liner Tents

A lot of hard work and trials of patience goes into creating events like these, but the final outcome of it is usually rewarding. Don’t forget to take pictures and be yourself. After all, a day of quidditch should never be taken for granted. Until next time, Mischief Managed. n

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Have broom, will travel

By Katie Stack

W

hether we like it or not, traveling has become an integral part of our globalized world; as quidditch players, we must plan accordingly in order to compete in an organization that proudly boasts an “international” label. I’ve done a bit of research and I’ve discovered some useful tips on traveling with your broom that should be noted as you prepare for the upcoming World Cup. If your favorite mode of transportation is plane, bus, or if you enjoy channeling Hagrid on your motorcycle, I’ve discovered the most efficient way to ensure that your broom doesn’t spend the weekend of November 12th befriending spiders in the cupboard under the stairs.

The problem I’ve been struggling with recently is that of air transportation. It seems as though the TSA is adding more restrictions to travel every day! As an unemployed college grad, I’ve been trying to fly without checking baggage in an attempt to save as much money as possible. When I arrived at the airport with my Scarlet Falcon, however, I was informed that while “broom” did not yet fit into a category of its own, it was indeed a prohibited carry-on item. (On the TSA website there’s not a category for “cleaning equipment,” and while lacrosse sticks and baseball bats are prohibited “sports equipment,” “broom” was nowhere to be found. I’ll know quidditch has made it in this world once our brooms are on that list!) For those of you flying with your brooms this fall, make sure you have it carefully packaged and paid for, as annoying as that is. It will be worth it.

The simple and easy option for travel, especially for those of you in the northeastern US, is by car. No way am I comfortable leaving my beloved broom in the backseat with my rowdy friends and their cheeto-fingers, though. My Falcon gets shot-gun, no questions asked. This way I get to DJ my own radio anyway. (“Fly like it’s Quidditch”, anyone?) It’s all for the best.

For even shorter commutes, like the neighborhood quidditch match, a bike is ideal. Managing my broom while pedaling, however, can be quite the challenge. For a time I attempted to strap the broom between the pedals so that as I sped downhill I felt like I was flying, but this method was actually quite a hindrance and sometimes my bristles would get caught in the spokes. The most convenient way to BwB (Bike with Broom) is to hold it across your handle bars; just make sure that you can still hit the brakes!

An alternative form of environmentally-friendly transportation, a popular option on many college campuses, is the longboard. The longboard is the only mode that I’ve discovered so far that actually allows me to move AND ride my broom! A

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helmet, of course, is necessary, no matter how much it screams “Muggle.”

The bus is a popular public transportation option, one that poses its own problems when it comes to transporting quidditch equipment. The broom is a bit unwieldy to hold in your lap, but I know I’d be nervous storing it down below… Someone could steal it! (Everyone wants an Alivan’s broom of their own.) And, regardless of this fear, down below is REALLY far away. (Wait, what? Not everyone sleeps with their broom within an arm’s reach of their bed? I mean, I don’t either… that’s weird…)

There are oh-so-many ways to get around these days, none quite as convenient as Apparating or traveling by Flu Powder, but many useful and entertaining options nonetheless. Unfortunately, nothing beats transporting an expensive and finely designed quidditch broom like actual flight. On a boat you run the risk

“

When I arrived at the airport with my Scarlet Falcon, however, I was informed that while “broom” did not yet fit into a category of its own, it was indeed a prohibited carry-on item.”

of getting seasick, as well as the chance that any crew members co-opt your carefully polished not-quite-a-Nimbus to sweep the deck. A Muggle motorcycle is not quite as roomy as Hagrid’s airborn model and for some reason horses don’t take kindly to a broom on the saddle.

Nothing quite measures up to the icy rushing air, the miles of nothingness under your body, the smooth wood clenched tightly beneath your fists, but we Muggle quidditch players must make do with what we have. And what we have are beautiful quidditch brooms that must not get left behind, no matter how inconvenient the transport of them may be. See you at the World Cup, broom in hand! n

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Smart and safe ways to transport your broom. || Katie Stack

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Welcome to Randall’s Island.

This is...

The Quidditch World Cup Now with 400% more snitches.

This November 12-13, up to one hundred college and high school quidditch teams — that’s over two thousand athletes — will compete in two divisions on twelve fields. The championship games will take place in Icahn Stadium, a world-class track facility that seats five thousand people. This will be quidditch unlike anything seen before.

Be part of the magic: buy tickets at worldcupquidditch.com.

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

WORLD CUP V

Rankings and the 2011 World Cup

By Dan Hanson and Alex Benepe The quidditch history book is starting to get meaty. It used to be little more than a Creation story, and the first World Cup champions, along with the rest of the teams and their records in the tournaments. Now, we have official standings with 79 teams ranked. Thanks to scores of volunteers, we are entering an age of statistics.

Within the next few years, you should be able to get a detailed scouting report on your opponent, play to break all-time records, or take home your own championship in Fantasy Quidditch.

For the first time, teams will be grouped into the pool play stage in the World Cup based on their rankings. This balance is exactly what the World Cup needs to make it more competitive than ever. In past years, any team unlucky enough to draw two powerhouse teams in the three games of pool play was almost certain to be eliminated. Point differential and even win-loss record have not been the most accurate numbers to judge a team’s actual ability by. But not this year. Although teams may have a lot more to show than their place in the rankings have to say, there will be a variety of skill levels in each pool, so no team faces too many teams far above or below their own skill level. Get ready for a huge jump in the competitiveness of this year’s World Cup— that’s right, it gets even more competitive.

In 2009, there were 21 teams in the World Cup. In 2010, there were 46. Once again, the number of teams has more than doubled, as the IQA is expecting 100 teams in the 2011 Cup. That means there will be 54 teams that are brand new to the big stage. I think the chances of a team like Tufts, a former unknown driving their way to the championship game is unlikelier than ever.

There are so many strong teams whose World Cup experience will make any team new to the Cup an underdog. However, the team currently ranked number two in the world is Arizona State, who has never been to the World Cup… or lost a game in IQA play. Michigan State beater/coach and IQA Gameplay Director Will Hack theorizes that “the experienced teams will overlook the West, leading to some outcomes that will shock the quidditch aristocracy.” Arizona State could very well fight their way into the quidditch elite, but could also get knocked out when they face a team at their level or above for the first time. The Western teams are the biggest wild cards, as it’s the only IQA region where no team has previous World Cup experience to compare to the other teams it has played. I wouldn’t bet against the teams who have to travel the furthest, as I expect them to practice the hardest

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as well.

As for the other regions, look for the Midwest to improve upon their middle-of-the-pack rankings. The dominance of Louisiana State and Texas A&M should carry over to the world stage, while McGill should strengthen their position as the best international team – but can they finally bust into the top ten?

While the college football world argues about preseason rankings while agreeing that they don’t mean much, let’s do the same for our sport—because at least our playoff system makes way more sense. So along with Will, and a few other names you might recognize from the IQA, here are some predictions for the 2011 World Cup.

1 2 3 4 5

Dan Texas A&M Middlebury Emerson Tufts Louisiana State

Alex Benepe

Will Middlebury Texas A&M Pittsburgh Louisiana State Emerson

The World Cup is an odyssey with surprise acts, goliaths falling to Davids, sudden snitch snatches that steal away clear victories, and drama that would rival the greatest theater. The rankings system won’t always stand true, but I think the numbers we have right now are pretty good indicators, with a few exceptions. I’ve picked my top five based on a combination of the standings and live viewings of teams that have exemplified a raw skill level in competition that doesn’t necessarily show in their rankings but is enough to shock and awe their opponents into submission.

WORLD CUP V

1. Pittsburgh Quidditch Club These gals and guys entered the single-elimination phase of the last World Cup in the #1 seed over Middlebury. They got beat

by Tufts on a snitch catch. In the Northeast Regionals, they were by far the most dominant team, but with just 7 players at the tourney, they were defeated by BU’s deep bench, which BU utilized to excellent strategical effect to wage a war of attrition on the Pittsburgh squad. But the Pitt players simply have one of the most graceful games, penetrating speed, and sick-nasty unbelievable moves I’ve seen on the pitch. I think I once saw one of their chasers do an alley-oop between-the-legs slam dunk on a hoop. I’m not even sure how that’s possible with a broom between your legs and I still wonder if my eyes lied to me. But it clearly left a strong impression. They play year-round in all weather (they formed after a night-time soccer game in the snow in the dead of winter) and their captain John Battaglia has experience going back to the 2008 World Cup. As long as they have a nice deep bench that matches their starters in skill, I think they will be serious contenders for #1 this year.

2 & 3. LSU / Texas A&M I sadly haven’t seen either of these teams play enough to make a fair assessment as to who is better, but of what I have seen of them, they both play a honed, disciplined, and physical game.

They often get eliminated in World Cup at around the 2/3 mark of the event, but this year I think they’ve both upped the ante in training, organization and skill, and I think they’re going to come out swinging against their northeast counterparts and move to a place in the tournament that is more reflective of their global rankings. They have the fiercest competitive spirit of any teams in the league, the most intense practice regimens and tryouts, and they just plain want it badder than anyone else. I’m especially interested to see how Texas fares with their new captain Drew Wasikowski. At the time I am writing this, they are gearing up for a one-on-one match on September 24th, which should be an interesting look at how they are shaping up for World Cup 2011.

4. Middlebury College My alma mater probably will not be too happy that I’ve relegated

them to #4 despite currently being ranked #1 in the world and having never lost an intercollegiate game ever. The only reason I’m putting them down here is because the majority of their top point-scoring, game-changing players graduated last year and with their non-traditional yet tested-and-true method of using intramural competition to pick their intercollegiate team, it’s a toss up for who will wear the white and blue among their upand-comers. Their top chasers have all graduated, along with their star seeker Scura. However, they still have Doleac as long as he recovers from some injuries last season and plays for the winning intramural team, and they have a number of new players with a lot of potential coming up the ranks. They’re playing down the competitive element at the Middlebury Classic this October 16th and going for a more relaxed atmosphere with open registration that allows teams to bring multiple squads (which means the event may or may not be a fair assessment of their skills) but I’ll be keeping my eyes out for their newest recruits to see if #4 is an underestimation for them. I think all players know that strategy is the key to winning in Quidditch and the raw experience of the Midd squad might be enough to keep them on top this year. Plus, I might be doing them a favor by giving them underdog status.

Some people love to fight with their back against a wall.

5. Arizona State / USF It’s not easy to pick your favorite children so I’m going to go with a split again here. ASU was a clear standout on the westcoast and they play physically without getting overly-violent or out of control. Great passing, solid strategy, and they get fantastic momentum on their down-pitch drives. Watch out for keeper Willy Jackson, he’s like the West Coast version of Devin Dev (Chestnut Hill Keeper), and captain Alexis Bristor clearly has a superb grasp of team strategy.

USF recently stomped their way through a Florida meetup and I watched their chasers play one of the most impressive chasing games in the league at the Swamp Cup. Long, accurate passes and they make great use of the quaffle to block incoming bludger shots. All of their chasers are really fast on their feet and use interesting jumping, dodging, and spinning moves to penetrate their opponents’ defense. Sean Pagoda is one of their many toplevel players. They’re not very high on the global ranking but I think they’ll be one of the surprise acts at World Cup.

There are a lot of other teams out there with the potential to knock any of these groups off the list, particularly in a game as topsy turvy as quidditch, so don’t take it personally if you’re not on here, I most likely still admire your team’s overall badassness. And if you’re bummed you didn’t make the top five (quite a few were very close), you would do well to remember that you are most dangerous to your opponents when you are underestimated.

Good luck, happy training, and I’ll see you on the pitch in November. n

The Seer • September / October 2011

20

WORLD CUP V

The Teams

By Alicia Radford

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

L L I G

Y R

MCETON L Y R A T I C S R E V I N N U O S R E

Y T I S R E V I N U W AA T T O F O

Y T I S R E V I N A U A S A V FA O ) D N L N I F ( R E T S E H C N WI

) K U (

TE AM SPOTLIGH T S

Flying beyond high school Q

By Laurie Beckoff

uidditch players from a Texas high school are aiming to get the sport recognized by the University Interscholastic League so it will become easier for high school students across the state to form teams.

Students from Keller High School in Keller, Texas have been playing quidditch since 2009, but many students are not so fortunate. It was with these students in mind that Keller Quidditch Club players spoke before the UIL this summer.

It was an occasion few could have imagined almost three years ago when two Keller students approached their advanced placement history teacher with the idea of starting a quidditch team at the school.

Kati Polaski and Brooklyn George got the ball rolling, but by the time school returned from winter break, there were four founders (just like Hogwarts), including Chase Ossenkop and Lindsey Lerner and teacher sponsors David Clemmons and Jenny Knottek.

The student body was overall enthusiastic, but the main obstacle was getting approval from the district.

After six weeks and a few compromises, including forbidding headshots and football-style tackles, the Keller Quidditch Club received official school recognition.

There were 20 players present at the first practice, but the club now boasts a whopping

23

The Keller Quidditch Club from Keller, Texas hope to get quidditch recognized by the Texas University Interscholastic League. || P ­ hoto Provided

80 members, as well as another 30 students who come to enjoy the sport as spectators.

The KQC operates much like Quidditch at Hogwarts, as both have a House Cup tournament. Each of the four founders captains one of the four house teams named after those at Hogwarts. Everyone plays together twice a week from October until January, mostly in scrimmages, but once the tournament begins, there’s practice once a week and then a fierce quidditch match between houses.

The houses get competitive, each devising their own chants, but when someone yells, “quidditch!” everyone echoes the rally cry.

“Quidditch is a silly sport--I totally recognize this, but the student body and faculty take us seriously,” Polaski said.

The student council, school

September / October 2011 • The Seer

newspaper, and broadcast class promote quidditch, and teachers wear KQC t-shirts with pride.

Garrett Wilson, a student from Caney Creek High School in Conroe, Texas, approached the KQC, saying that he wasn’t allowed to start a similar club at his school unless it was approved by the Texas UIL. Getting quidditch sanctioned by the UIL would make it easier for students to start teams at their schools without having to go through the ordeal the KQC experienced. The UIL would provide teams with funds for transportation, uniforms, and equipment, and give quidditch more credibility.

The KQC spoke before the UIL committee on June 14 and started an online petition at www.txquidditch.com. It requires 100 schools to sign,

and as many people as possible, though only those from Texas will be counted. So far, after a little over a month, there are about 450 signatures and the KQC is aiming for 3,000.

Keller has contacted major sports teams in the area asking for letters of support. Its efforts have been noticed by a number of local news outlets and Clemmons hopes that whether they are successful or not, they will raise awareness of the sport.

Unfortunately, due to the current financial situation facing Texas high schools, the UIL is unable to sanction new sports this year, but the KQC now has until next year to work on its petition before the UIL reassesses all proposals.

As the players and their sponsor teachers pursue that, they hope to get more involved in the community by doing things such as hosting a charity match and bringing quidditch to elementary and middle schools.

The Keller team will not be playing in the World Cup this year, but 20 players will go to cheer on Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas).

The KQC hopes to organize some tournaments this year and is determined to achieve its goal of gaining UIL recognition, which would enable the players to travel further and compete with other teams across the state of Texas, where quidditch is making its mark. n

T E A M S POTLIGHTS

A Victorian era of quidditch

By Katie Stack

T

The Victorian Quidditch Association is one of the first quidditch teams to form in the Australian state of Victoria.|| P ­ hotos Provided

he new Victorian Quidditch Association is a product of the excitement surrounding this summer’s Deathly Hallows part II movie premier, during which children and adults across the world were swept up anew in the magic of J.K. Rowling’s world of witchcraft and wizardry.

Emily Tucknott, the organization’s founder, quickly discovered how difficult it was to maintain this level of excitement while dealing with the more technical and mundane necessities involved in the development of a muggle quidditch team.

“In Victoria our league is the only active league; others have tried and have given up fairly quickly,” Tucknott said.

Queensland and New South Wales have active organizations with a number of teams and the IQA website predicts that “this kangarooriddled part of the world might be the next big national arena for the sport to take off.”

Unfortunately, these leagues are a number of days’ drive from Victoria and are not easily accessible for regular season play.

It is also difficult to start a community team, like the Victorian Quidditch Association, as opposed to a team affiliated and supported by a university, Tucknott said.

“Being a community team means it is harder to advertise,” she said. “At a uni you can have a stall on campus; unis also have grounds to play on and they help with first aid.”

She is determined to make quidditch a reality in her region, though.

Tucknott “conned” her

friends into coming to the first few games.

“Ninety per cent of them loved it and ended up signing up,” she said.

Tucknott has already bought balls, brooms, equipment for hoops, and material for capes. She plans on charging a $5 dollar registration fee in the future to cover the costs.

So far, the hard work has been worth it. The league’s Facebook group already has more than 70 members, the majority of whom seem very excited about the opportunity to play Quidditch in real life.

The Victorian Quidditch Association has even competed

twice in front of local media outlets and has been featured on an Australian news station.

Tucknott plans to continue recruiting via social media and word of mouth while taking advantage of aspects of life “down under” that make the Quidditch team uniquely Australian.

She plans on hosting a “sausage sizzle” to raise money, a popular fundraising technique that entails selling sausages much in the same way a bake sale hawks baked goods.

The team also takes advantage of local reserved land “with lots of bushland so the snitch can hide,” Tucknott said.

If the organization continues to grow as exponentially as it has these past few months, perhaps Australian Quidditch will have its first official IQA member team throwing its quaffle around on the pitch. n

The Seer • September / October 2011

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TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

The Quidditch Personality Spectrum: From Nerd to Jock

LL

By Dan Hanson et’s generalize here for a minute. Nerds and jocks don’t get along.

Nerds think that jocks are douchey bros, and jocks think that nerds are lame losers. Jocks don’t understand Harry Potter, and nerds can’t play sports. Then quidditch came along, drawing two kinds of people: nerds and jocks.

I tried to think of words with better connotations, but the terms “nerd” and “jock” are just so universally ingrained in our culture that they really are the best words. Not that they have bad connotations—I, for one, wish I could be as much of a nerd and a jock as I possibly could. So let’s celebrate each other’s nerdiness and jockiness. After all, quidditch didn’t unite the two armies of nerds and jocks in the war of Brains vs. Brawn. As quidditch players and quidditch teams, we’ve all got a little (or a lot) of both in us.

So! Behold the first nerd-jock spectrum of quidditch. Six quidditch teams, spoken for by their captains, answered ten questions that determined their place on the scale.

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

1. Does your team play quidditch to celebrate Harry Potter, or to win?

Allison Gillette, Emerson College: We are all Harry Potter fans, but NONE of us play quidditch because of Harry Potter.

We play to win.

JOCK +4 Reid Robinson, McGill University: We actually don’t talk about Harry Potter that much while we are playing. We take ourselves very seriously (sometimes we take ourselves to seriously and have to remember we are running around on bro oms).

JOCK +5 Aaron Suzuka, Vassar College Butterbeer Broooers: Although we do have some former and current athletes on the team, all of us play quidditch because of our love for Harry Potter. We love Harry Potter, and we love playing quidditch,

win or lose. Winning is always welcomed but not at the expense of fun or a player’s safety.

NERD +5 Sarah Kneiling, Louisiana State University: We’re not playing to further our involvement with the books—we’re playing to become a great quidditch team.

We do use the Harry Potter angle to help draw in new members and fans, but just as often we use the “sport that also happens to have originated within Harry Potter” angle, as the latter is just as valid, and in fact is probably more valid for our team.

JOCK +4

what gets most members into the game, but the love of the sport itself is what keeps everybody driven to do their best.

JOCK +1 Kevin Engberson, Utah Crimson Fliers: Most of us are somewhere in the middle. The thing about most of our team is that we are definitely nerds, but not Harry Potter nerds. We sort of went along the lines of superheroes rather than wizards, which is how we got our jersey design, a big Captain America shield.

NERD +2

Drew Wasikowski, Texas A&M University: Almost every player is a Harry Potter fanatic, and that is probably

The Seer • September / October 2011

26

TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

2. What specific examples can you give me?

Emerson: Our team is really focused on creating team chemistry.

JOCK +4 McGill: I believe a lot of our fan base is more HP fans than our players. We do have an inner-tube water polo team during the winter season since it is too cold to play quidditch. AND since we are a Canadian team, we watch hockey together. JOCK +4 Vassar: After every practice, we also eat quinner (Quidditch Dinner)

together. Vassar Quidditch also plays our own version of assassins called “Elder Wand” and occasionally, members will start a “horcrux” scavenger hunt game where clues will be given via email, and “horcruxes” would be various items on campus.

NERD +4 LSU: There are wayyyy more basketball or other sports references going on than Harry Potter references. JOCK +5

Utah: I have sort of this alternate backstory I’ve built in my mind where we, as the Fliers, are a group of wizards around the turn of the 20th century that are seeing the progress of science, especially aviation, and are abandoning magic in favor of science and discovery. These days you can be a nerd and be cool. You can be a nerd and be hot. And you can definitely be a nerd and love sports at the same time.

NERDVANA. NERD +5, JOCK +5

3. The World Cup is tomorrow. There’s a Harry Potter movie premiere tonight.

What would you do?

Emerson: I think we would all come to our senses and realize A) Harry Potter will be in theaters for awhile B) the World Cup happens once a year and C) it’s most important to be rested for the next day.

JOCK +4

Vassar: We would definitely go to the movie premiere dressed in costume or in our uniforms with brooms. If it was the day before the World Cup, we may even bring some practice supplies to practice a little bit.

JOCK +3

McGill: Seriousness I don’t think I could ever not let my team see a HP premiere. We would definitely watch the movie, wake up early, and play some quidditch.

NERD +2

LSU: If we have to choose—that movie’ll still be playing later. We need to win that World Cup. JOCK +5

A&M: I think the majority of our team would insist on seeing the movie, but maybe throwing around the quaffle in the theater while waiting on the movie to start.

JOCK +1 Utah: My team’s pretty cheap. We’d probably be at the discount theater. Down the street. Watching Soul Surfer. Again.

NERD +2

4. Would you rather win the World Cup or play one exhibition game on actual flying brooms?

Emerson: We don’t fly, we don’t think we fly, we PLAY quidditch.

JOCK +5 McGill: Flying brooms. NO doubt.

NERD +5 Vassar: Flying brooms would be the coolest thing ever.

NERD +5

27

LSU: Without any creative methods of getting both, winning the World Cup is better!

JOCK +5 A&M: Although the idea of flying on an actual broomstick does sound tempting, the World Cup has been our focus for I don’t know how long, and it is what keeps us driven during practice and during the school year.

JOCK +5

September / October 2011 • The Seer

Utah: Could I pick up more chicks with a World Cup trophy or with a flying broomstick? But as for my team, the level of competitiveness we have, I’d have to say World Cup victory.

JOCK +4

TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

5. Describe how your team would fare in a game (our version) against one of the Gryffindor Cup-winning teams.

Emerson: Well, of course we would lose. They are freaking wizards and witches, aren’t they? I mean speaking for the girls on my team, we could easily stomp out any of the girls on the Gryffindor team; they all seem pretty weak, except maybe Alicia Spinnet, she is kind of a BAMF. But in all honesty, no one is going to put a goal past Wood... if we are talking about Ron, that is a different story. But, don’t forget, Hermione is in the stands and could cast Confundus charms on us. I doubt any of them would be able to run which would definitely be in our advantage. However, the twins would probably be great at tackling. If only the rulebook let us tackle below the knees... those gangly legs would be all over the ground.

NERD +2 Vassar: I think we could win but the

game would definitely be a close match. It would probably come down to the snitch catch. Our team has great chemistry, allowing us to hold our own. However, we may lose because we would all be starstruck and would constantly try to take pictures during the game.

NERD +1 LSU: Their chasers seem to drop/ lose the quaffle more than is necessary in the books already, so I doubt they’ll be able to retain possession long enough to score much. The Weasleys are good, in the books—I’ll make that a point in their favor. Wood’s a fair keeper, but he’s used to blocking long shots, rather than the dunking that’s common in IQA quidditch.

Potter’s obviously good and a point in their favor; however, 30 points is a lot less than 150 and since their chasing/keeping looks

like it’ll be much weaker on the ground than in the air, they’re gonna be too far behind by the time any snitches are caught.

JOCK +5 A&M: I have faith that our seeker, Isaac Salazar, who caught seven snitches in a row at the Texas Tech Southwest Regional Tournament this spring would stand a very fair chance against the legendary Harry Potter. Second, the combination of our beater and chaser team would put Katie Bell in her place. The only thing I’m worried about is the deadly duo of the Weasley twins.

JOCK +3 Utah: George Williams, our keeper, could tear Daniel Radcliffe into a million little pieces.

JOCK +5

6. When you see quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter movies, what is your reaction?

Emerson: The games in the movies are WAY cooler. Just faster and everyone seems to know more what they are doing.

NERD +3 McGill: I think we all secretly like our version more since it is more… practical.

But none of us would ever miss a chance to

actually fly around on a broom. JOCK +2 Vassar: The only thing I think of is “How can I do that move while running on the ground with a broom between my legs?” I try to do them at practice. JOCK +1 LSU: There are some similar elements of strategy, but they’re not the same, and

they don’t need to be.

JOCK +4

A&M: I am totally in awe of and impressed with the sport of quidditch in general and the creativity it brings.

NERD +2

7. Another hypothetical: brooms are no longer part of the game. What’s your reaction?

Emerson: That isn’t quidditch.

Harry Potter fan or not, the broom is the quintessential part of the game. It is what makes us unique. Yeah, it’s the major thing standing in the way of us and being recognized as a sport from hardcore sports fans. But, did Napoleon stop when they told him he was too short? Did Gandalf stop when the Balrog told him he was going to eat him? Did Tommy Pickles stop when his screwdriver was no longer in his diaper?

NO! And we will keep riding brooms AND get recognized by the NCAA... just wait.

JOCK +3 McGill: It sucks. That’s like saying Harry Potter no longer involves magic.

NERD +3 Vassar: That would be terrible. It takes out all the challenge/fun in the game.

NERD +1

LSU: Rugby looks weird—they get to use two hands? So odd. Quidditch has a nice challenge factor to it. JOCK +5 A&M: I would like to see critics try playing a very aggressive, complicated, coordination-oriented sport with only one hand. I believe the addition of the broomstick makes the game more of a challenge to players.

JOCK +4

The Seer • September / October 2011

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TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

Utah Crimson Flyers at the Western Cup || Katie Mercurio

TOTALS: Vassar: (NERD 8), McGill (JOCK 4), Utah (JOCK 6), Texas A&M (JOCK 19), Emerson (JOCK 24), LSU (JOCK 33) 29

September / October 2011 • The Seer

TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

Utah: I think anybody who suggests getting rid of the brooms really misses the point of the sport. Yes, it’s competitive.

Yes, we are serious athletes. But the aspects

of quidditch that make it nerdy and goofy and silly are also what make it unique and fun to play. The world has enough sports that don’t use brooms.

JOCK +1

8. Has quidditch made you like Harry Potter more or less?

Emerson: If anything, playing quidditch just gives me a one up on other fans... people call me competitive.

JOCK +2

A&M: Quidditch allows me to involve Harry Potter in my everyday life, which is a huge blessing.

NERD +2

9. Has quidditch made you like sports more or less?

Emerson: I would say more. Mainly because I have been able to have a hand in shaping this sport. It is much more unique and you feel much more tied to its roots than you ever can in other sport. JOCK +2 McGill: Quidditch has given me an appreciation for how sports around the world probably evolved in their infancy.

It gives me hope that new sports can still develop and become as big as quidditch is today.

JOCK +2 Vassar: Only so I can try incorporate moves and techniques into my quidditch playing.

NERD +1 A&M: Quidditch has kept me in shape

throughout college thus far, which any other college student knows full well is not an easy task. Our quidditch team has also formed an indoor soccer team, outdoor soccer team, sand volleyball team, dodgeball team, which all compete in intramurals at the university, and we participate in several 5k fun runs.

JOCK +5

10. How do you describe our game to someone who has never heard of quidditch or Harry Potter?

Emerson: I have made boys cry and if you played it, you should be scared for your life.

JOCK +5 McGill: I think we should start making reaction videos to people learning about quidditch. It’s pretty great to see people’s facial expressions as they watch a quidditch match.

JOCK +1 Vassar: It is a combination rugby,

dodgeball, and tag with hints of soccer, basketball, football, hockey, cross country, handball, and water polo ALL AT THE SAME TIME. JOCK +3 A&M: We usually start off by saying it originated from the Harry Potter book series. Then we go on to describe it as a competitive mix of rugby, dodgeball, soccer, and tag.

NERD +1

Utah: Imagine that a zombie virus decimated the population of your entire college campus, but by random chance, one janitorial closet in the gymnasium was stocked with brooms, four balls, and enough supplies to keep seven people alive.

But 14 survivors remain. The ensuing bloodbath is what is today commonly known as the sport of quidditch.

NERD +1

That’s where I rank these six teams. Where do you rank them? Six winning teams, all over the spectrum. Now, where do you rank yourself? n

The Seer • September / October 2011

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PLAYERS’ CORNER

PLAYERS’ CORNER

Come on, ref!

“Come on, ref!” I wish I had a galleon for every time I have heard those three words. Players and passionate fans often shout them - almost like an involuntary reflex - after they hear the whistle blow a play dead. Maybe they disagree with a call; maybe they just hoped the foul wouldn’t be noticed.

Either way it went against their team, and their bias gets the best of them.

I understand. As a former athlete and current fan, I admit I’ve used the phrase at times. Still, becoming an

PLAYERS’ CORNER official gives you a new and almost surreal perspective. Suddenly, nobody is cheering for you or with you. There is no medal to win or trophy to kiss. The best you can hope for is a “good job” at the end of the day. And there’s something uniquely rewarding in that.

How does one become an official? Better yet, why would anyone want to become one? For me, it all started with a love of the game. Add in a thorough knowledge of the rules and a desire for fair play, and you may find yourself officiating team scrimmages.

That’s only part of it, though. Good referees are able to listen to players’ concerns without ceding authority, position themselves to get the best vantage point, handle unexpected situations as they arise, and make tough decisions quickly. Referees know they will never get every call right, but players and fans have pretty high expectations at every level. They deserve the best effort an official can give each time they take the pitch.

That requires a lot of pre-work on the part of the referee crew.

Learning the fundamentals of basic officiating as well as reading

(and re-reading) the rule book like it’s Quidditch Through the Ages will help. To aid in the former, Cameron Kim from Duke University and I are working to launch an IQA Referee Development Program. The first step in this process was the release of the Referee Guidebook and Signals for Handbook 5.

Our future efforts will focus on training officials for World Cup V, releasing training documents and videos online so aspiring referees can review them anywhere in the world, and working with regional directors to generate a robust referee network and database for IQA regional tournaments and intercollegiate matches. Our goal is to improve and standardize officiating for all IQA matches.

We need all the help we can get. If you have a penchant for whistling, look good in stripes, and love quidditch, please reach out to us. If you’re willing to learn, we’re willing to teach you.

Whether you’re an antsy bench-warmer, injured starter, or recent graduate, I ask that you join us. “Come on, ref!” n — Chris Beesley

Before they were quidditch refs...

Chris Beesley IQA Head Ref Chris is a high school tennis phenom from Indiana who chose to supplement his campus tour guide income at Notre Dame by listening to his Hoosier roots and reffing intramural basketball games.

Cameron Kim Referee Development Director Cameron is a USSF and FIFA certified soccer referee from Florida. When he’s not in the lab or hanging out with Kyle Singler, he spends his time at Duke officiating quidditch scrimmages and matches.

Will Hack IQA Game Play Director Will is a baseball umpire and loves playing and officiating quidditch. A native of the St. Louis metro area, he attends Michigan State University and is a proud Jet Pack Ninja Dinosaur.

Excerpt from the Referee Guidebook in Handbook 5 Verbal communication is extremely important, as referees need to be able to interact with players without ceding authority.

• Verbal commands should be direct and explicit. Since play should be stopped as infrequently as possible, verbal communication is important to advise players of trifling fouls or misconduct.

• Verbal warnings are often extremely effective in changing behavior.

• Referees should not hesitate to warn players of escalating physical contact or intensity in play that may become unsafe, dangerous, violent, or cautionable.

Resist radical change, make-up calls, or overcompensation during the course of a match. A foul in the first 5 minutes is still one at the end, regardless of the score. Do not hesitate when making a call if possible.

Play should be continuous whenever possible. Play should be resumed as quickly as safely and fairly possible (typically about fifteen seconds afterwards) in the case of stoppage. Do not stop play for minor fouls or infractions or to give a verbal warning or command.

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

Recognize that as a referee, you are a very visible part of the game, and spectators’ attention will often be drawn to you. Head referees in particular are encouraged to be creative and entertaining as they apply the rules fairly to each team.

The head referee should record the names of the teams, captains, snitch runner, and head referee along with the match date on an official score sheet. The head referee, the snitch runner, and the team captains should sign the official score sheet at the conclusion of the match as witnesses to the final outcome.

Optional information may include (but is not limited to) the match time of day, weather conditions, and location.

Purchase Handbook 5 at internationalquidditch.org.

PLAYERS’ CORNER

An in-depth look: the snitch

By Katie Stack

|| JHU Quidditch

“Brooms down… eyes down… the snitch is released!” The commentator’s voice bellows across the quidditch pitch at the start of the match followed by a tense, thick silence, marred only by a flag flapping in the breeze. The audience watches as an athlete dressed completely in yellow and sporting gold tights circles the pitch.

The snitch takes off at a slow jog, arms flapping, before stopping to move around the game balls and steal whistles from the referees. Hundreds of spectators follow the golden human’s path until he disappears over the nearest hill right before turning around the closest building.

“BROOMS UP!” The players sprint forward and in a clash of bodies and a flurry of thrown balls, the existence of the golden snitch is forgotten, save by the seekers wandering the pitch with darting eyes, never straying more than a few yards from their opponent.

The audience watches and the players compete until cheers are replaced with excited whispers, hushed tones, and young children frantically pointing their fingers somewhere in the distance. The snitch, with the mischievous grin of a true showman, rides a bike across the pitch, weaving through chasers and beaters, whacking away stray bludgers and forcing a keeper to jump from his path. A graceful leap off the bike lands the snitch within arms’ reach of the seekers but he quickly twists away from their desperate grabs and soon one of the seekers finds herself without a broom. And so the fight continues. The snitch magically turns and darts away at the last possible second and the seekers find themselves face down in the mud time and time again.

Eventually tired fingers scrabble for purchase around the tennis ball the snitch has been protecting and short whistle blasts signal the end of the match. The seekers, at this point slightly crazed in the eyes, grasp arms with the ever-elusive snitch before he steps off the pitch, gold tights ripped and no longer gleaming. It was another hard fought yet destined loss for a human snitch.

In the Harry Potter books, the golden snitch “is the most important ball of the lot,” according to Gryffindor House quidditch captain Oliver Wood. And this statement might very well be true. A quidditch match can hinge on a snitch snatch. While the snitch in the magical version of the sport is almost definitely the deciding factor at 150 points, the muggle snitch, worth only 30 points, is still a priority.

How has a tiny golden ball “the size of a walnut” with “fluttering silver wings” transitioned to a speedy and creative human athlete? How can this gross maladaptation

The Seer • September / October 2011

34

PLAYERS’ CORNER

“The snitch is, to put it simply, the fireworks on your 4th of July.” possibly play a similar role in the game of quidditch? How can it even pretend to be as magical?

Rainey Johnson, a Middlebury alum (Middlebury, Vt.) known famously as the first human snitch, passionately shared his interpretation of the human snitch runner. “The snitch must entertain the crowd. On the wizard’s field the snitch evokes cheers and jeers from the crowd and demands the spectators’ attention when it arrives; a human snitch must do the same. The snitch must, therefore, create opportunities for heroics -- near misses, flips, tumbles, dives (preferably into mud). The snitch is the inevitable loser, but it must play with its predator to the point of embarrassment on the route to being caught. Finally, above all else, the snitch must maintain integrity. The snitch is its own team and must be completely impartial and unbiased.”

“The snitch is, to put it simply, the fireworks on your 4th of July,” according to snitch Tom Ford from Boston University (Boston, Mass.).

What most spectators do not see, however, are the more challenging aspects of the snitch runner’s role. A snitch is required to run throughout the match and remain strong enough to physically fight off both teams’ seekers.

“I’ve had seekers jump over me to catch the snitch; some have tried to hide in a crowd and jump me; some are twice my size and near impossible for me to hold back. But the challenge is what makes the position fun,” said Mason Kuzmitch, who snitches for Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas).

At the same time, the snitch must concentrate on entertaining the audience, which makes his job even more difficult.

“Snitch running requires athleticism, but it’s largely a creative process. Finding places to hide, gimmicks to get the crowd going, or funny ways to frustrate the seekers - these are the things that a good snitch has to do, but most of them happen on the fly. It’s really fast-paced improv,” said Gabe Albright from Emerson

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September / October 2011 • The Seer

College (Boston, Mass.).

The most difficult part of snitching is “making every game special. It is easy to get worn down and tired. It is easy to run out of creative ideas. It is easy to say, ‘this team is getting killed, what do I matter?’ It is essential that the snitch play every game to its fullest and seek the joy of every moment because every opponent deserves its best,” Johnson said.

“I like frustrating seekers to the point of exhaustion and then making amends with them at the conclusion - thanking and congratulating them on a hard fought match. It is a matter of respect,” he later added.

It takes a special athlete to play the part of an entertaining yet hard-to-catch snitch; these athletes bring a variety of athletic backgrounds to the pitch. Many snitches are long distance runners with experience running cross-country races. They’ve said the running background influenced their decision to try snitching.

Most snitches are wrestlers or runners, Albright claimed.

Experience with hockey and lacrosse, however, has taught him how to take a hit safely. “Snitches take a lot of tumbles,” he said.

Despite the difficulties inherent in the role, snitching is still a lot of fun. “Everyone else on the pitch is involved in a serious competitive sport. [Snitches] are the comic relief. So go crazy. Just make sure you don’t get so wrapped up in your performance that you can’t defend yourself from the seekers,” Kuznitch suggested to aspiring snitch runners.

Snitches, as with all athletes, can always work to advance their skills. “Learn from each game, ask seekers for feedback – accept the feedback, not as a negative criticism, but as an opportunity to improve – and have fun with it!” Johnson said.

In every sport the end goal is to win; here’s to snitches, who take to the pitch match after match to entertain and escape, while knowing that capture will inevitably come. n

PLAYERS’ CORNER

|| JHU Quidditch

PLAYERS’ CORNER

Skills from other sports: dodgeball

|| Andrew Dodson

By Will Hack

Will Hack, in addition to being the head coach for Michigan State Quidditch, is a starter and former Vice President of the MSU dodgeball team that has made two straight final fours in the National College Dodgeball Association.

Many experienced beaters in the IQA already know the many important similarities between dodgeball and quidditch. Knowing the rules and strategies of college dodgeball can give beaters a distinct edge over their free-wheeling opponents. Here’s a quick overview.

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PLAYERS’ CORNER

NCDA rules The National College Dodgeball Association (or NCDA) governs the sport of dodgeball for most college dodgeball teams, especially those in the Midwest. The NCDA uses standard 8.5” dodgeballs, just like the IQA, although the NCDA uses ten dodgeballs in each game. Teams start at opposite ends of a basketball court, with fifteen players on each team. The goal is to get all fifteen of the other team’s players out by hitting them with dodgeballs or catching their throws. Whenever one team eliminates the entire other team, that team gains one point. A match is composed of two 25-minute halves. Whichever team has the most points when the full time expires is declared the winner.

Whenever a player is hit, he is out. If he catches the ball, not only is the thrower of the ball out, but a player from the catcher’s team who was out is allowed to reenter the game. Unlike in quidditch, kicking the ball is not allowed. Also, if a dodgeball player deflects the dodgeball at all with his dodgeball, the dodgeball is considered dead and he cannot get out from that ball (even if the thrown dodgeball subsequently hits him). The rules are a bit more complicated, so you can find the full rulebook at ncdadodgeball. com.

Application to quidditch Dodging: Many skills important in dodgeball are also useful to quidditch players. Even non-chasers will find the skill of dodging to be of utmost importance. Dodgeball players succeed by crouching

down to make their bodies as small as possible, and staying far away from their opponents until they make their attacks. The best dodgeball players have extra dodging abilities, such as a monstrous vertical leap or the quick instincts to drop to the ground and spin out of danger.

Catching: Catching is more difficult while on a broomstick, but great beaters will be able to cite many examples where they escaped a bind with a timely catch. As dodgeball catching specialists can tell you, timing can make all the difference. If you look like you’re about to dodge a bludger throw (or run away), many beaters will take an edge off their throws and strive for accuracy. By switching tactics to catch the bludger just as the opponent releases it, you greatly increase your chances of making a crowd-pleasing catch and improving your bludger possession.

Possession: Good dodgeball teams always seem to have more dodgeballs than the other team. They conserve their throws, only throwing multiple dodgeballs when a solid opportunity to get outs appears. Quidditch teams would be wise to focus on bludger possession, not making risky throws or parting with a bludger with minimal reward. Having two bludgers instead of one makes a big difference throughout the course of the game.

Grip throwing: NCDA players are experts in the “Gorilla Grip,” or gripping the rubber of the ball while throwing. Good dodgeball players can squeeze even a fully inflated dodgeball so that they hold a bulk of rubber in their hand, in effect “gripping” the ball (although, as my bleeding fingers can testify, slightly underinflated dodgeballs are preferable). Throwing the ball using the grip instantly increases the velocity of the ball, and provides more spin than generic throws. Quidditch players would be advised to learn the Gorilla Grip to increase velocity and distance on their throws, because sometimes, you just need to really thwack that annoying chaser. n

“Dodgeball players succeed by crouching down to make their bodies as small as possible.”

The Seer • September / October 2011

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LIFESTYLES

Player of the Month Danny Mendelson

By Kristy Wright

Most IQA members and alumni cite their involvement in the league as one of the highlights of their college life. But at 14 years old, Danny Mendelson, this year’s player of the month, hasn’t even hit high school yet.

When Mendelson went to the 2010 World Cup as a spectator, he took a picture of someone wearing a top hat and a suit. Later, he learned it was CEO, Commissioner and President Alex Benepe, and he sent him an email soon after, asking him if he could visit the IQA’s office to volunteer.

“My first impression of Danny was that he was a really kind and well-composed person but he seemed too young to be able to help us in a significant way,” said Benepe. “Boy was I wrong. Danny, at the age of 14, quickly proved in the office that he had an equal, or even superior competence to many of the college volunteers I’ve worked with. He always keeps a level head and it’s hard to imagine him ever getting bent out of shape about anything.”

After his father drops him off at the office, Mendelson usually helps with public relations for regional tournaments. What’s more, Mendelson has been working to develop quidditch in his community. In February earlier this year, Mendelson bought an IQA rulebook and showed it to his gym teacher at Briar Cliff Manor Middle School. He chuckled when he read it, but supported Mendelson’s dream of starting a team at his school. He held several information meetings and tried everything from Powerpoint presentations to free pizza. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find enough people who were interested in anything more than the pizza.

Eventually, he gathered 11 players to form the “Briar Cliff Nearly Headless Nicolas Cages.” With Benepe’s help, Mendelson organized a tournament Memorial Day Weekend in Croton, New

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York for other high school teams in the area. However, Mendelson said this hasn’t come without its challenges.

“I really hope high school quidditch takes off a little bit more, but as far as drawbacks go, I think it’s harder to get people interested when you’re in high school; when you’re in college, people are so much more open to new ideas,” he said.

If high school quidditch doesn’t work out, Mendelson will still be keeping busy.

After playing the drums for five years, Mendelson began attending Lagond Music School to become more involved in what he calls the “hippie jam fest scene.” This private school offers him and his brother, Jordan, 17, opportunities for more shows.

And if you can’t catch him at one of his gigs, you can still see him onscreen.

Mendelson filmed a small role in the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy I Hate You Dad, set for release in June 2012. A few years ago, he was in a Friendly’s commercial. But don’t think his acting goes to his head – he said only pursues it “on the side.”

“It’s just something to do,” he shrugged. “Not many people can say they’ve been in movies.”

And not everyone can say they’ve organized a quidditch tournament before they were old enough to drive. While most of his quidditch colleagues are squeezing the sport in between job interviews and internships, Benepe said he thinks “Danny is going to be one of those kids with a functional business of his own by the time he starts college.” On the other hand, Mendelson said he barely knows what career he’d like to pursue.

Then again, he still has plenty of time to figure that out. n

LIFESTYLES

A very Harry Halloween The “Moaning Myrtle” cocktail || Kathleen Richter

LIFESTYLES

It’s that time again. While the leaves are changing colors and your neighbors’ decorations take a decidedly witchy turn, it’s only natural for your mind to turn towards all things wizarding and magical (assuming your mind isn’t already permanently fixed in Hogwarts). With all seven books published and the last movie finally made, there’s plenty of material you can pull from to give your Halloween party a Harry Potter flair.

Put a curtain in front of your door - When guests arrive, you can inform them they’ve passed through “the veil” (and for the die-hards, it’s time to take out that cardboard cutout of Sirius Black, so he can welcome your guests to the underworld).

Play life-sized chess - Use blue masking tape on the ground to get 64 squares, then use post-its (or paper) to mark alternating color squares. You can either have two people play against each other, or see how well each chess “team” can do without one mastermind pulling the strings.

Bobbing for memories! Make your very own pensieve by firstly filling a bowl with water. Then have your guests write down their favorite memories of hanging out together, put the memories inside plastic Easter eggs, and put the eggs inside the bowl with water. Depending on how many memories your guests have, you may need multiple bowls. Then your guests can bob for memories and have a merry nostalgia-fest (Alternately, you can fill the eggs with “clues” for a scavenger hunt).

Hold your very own horcrux scavenger hunt in a Room of Requirement! You will need at least one messy room (I know, hard to come by), and an object to represent each of the horcruxes (A tiara, a ring, a snake, a locket, a cup, a diary, and Harry Potter).

Hide the objects and see if your guests can find them! If you want to have scavenger hunt teams, you will need multiples of each horcrux.

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Decorate the ceiling with lots of flying keys; cut out keys from cardboard or construction paper, write clues (for aforementioned scavenger hunt) or favorite HP quotes on them, and hang them to the ceiling using ribbons and tape. If you have short guests, remember to make the ribbons long enough that they can grab at least one of the keys.

Have a dragon piñata that you can use your firebolt to battle! To pick who gets a turn first with your ferocious cardboard Hungarian Horntail, put names into a big cup and call it the goblet of fire.

Teach your very own “potions class” by showing your guests how to mix Harry Potterthemed cocktails! Try “The Dementor’s Kiss” or the spooky “Moaning Myrtle” from SheKnows.com (link: http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/ articles/835833/harry-potter-themed-cocktails), or the Backyard Bartender’s “Severus Snape” http:// backyardbartender.blogspot.com/2011/07/evenmore-harry-potter-cocktails.html or “Ron Weasley”, http://backyardbartender.blogspot.com/2010/11/ harry-potter-cocktails.html, or the Little Pink Blog’s delicious-sounding “Bellatrix Lestrange” http:// sashahalima.com/blog/2011/06/harry-pottermixology-the-death-eaters-cocktail-concoctionsedition/ Make chocolate frogs! There are several sites online where you can find molds for as little as $3.

And let’s face it: Is there really a time when having a

LIFESTYLES MOANING MYRTLE COCKTAIL Ingredients: 2 ounces Champagne 1 ounce vodka 2 ounces white grape juice Purple sugar Optional: Dry Ice Direction: 1. Pour a small amount of grape juice onto a plate and a small amount of purple sugar on a different plate. Dip the rim of the glass in the juice and then in the sugar until the rim is coated.

2. Add vodka, white grape juice, and ice to a martini shaker and shake until chilled. Pour into the martini glass and add the chilled champagne.

3. For a ghostly effect add a small piece of dry ice. mold for chocolate frogs won’t come in handy? For an added flair, cut out lily pads out of green napkins so your chocolate frogs feel at home. Also, Mugglenet has an excellent recipe to make chocolate peanut butter frogs. http://www.mugglenet.com/misc/rosmertas/ peanutbutterchocolatefrogs.shtml Decorate your home with spooky dark marks - Take several big sheets of paper outside and use spray-paint to make it seem more like graffiti. (To add a magical touch, add glitter.)

Play Pin-The-Marauder-On-The-Map: Print out a picture of the Marauder’s Map (I like this one: http:// i1-win.softpedia-static.com/screenshots/MaraudersMap-Screensaver_1.png). Cut out enough small circles so that each of your guests has one - and there’s at least one extra one - and have them write their name on their circle. The extra circle will have the name of a mischief maker (such as Padfoot or Potter), and will be taped somewhere on the map. Each of the guests is Filch: they’re trying to put their circle as close to the circle of the mischief-maker as possible. Each guest should be spun around a few times blindfolded before attempting to put their circle on the map. To make the game a little more difficult, add 5 more circles: Peeves,

Nearly Headless Nick, The Grey Lady, The Bloody Baron, and The Fat Friar; this way “feeling around” the map won’t help them catch the mischief-maker.

If you want to re-create the Great Hall effect but don’t want to burn your house down, make fake candles using LED tea lights, PVC pipe, hot glue and spray paint. Make sure to get the tea lights first, that way you can get the PVC pipe in a size that will fit the tea lights. Glue the tea lights into the PVC pipe, and add glue on the sides to get the “melting wax” effect. Once the glue has dried, spray paint the “candle” the color of your choice. To hang them from the ceiling, use clear fishing line (or another sufficiently clear and sturdy thread); wrap the line around the PVC candle near it’s top, and glue it so it’s secure. Install several hooks in the ceiling, and hang the candles from the hooks, tying them secure. Make sure the lines aren’t too long; you don’t want guests hitting their heads on candles.

If you want to go the scary route, try decorating a room entirely in pink lace and kittens just like Dolores Umbridge’s office. (Warning, this decorating technique is not for the faint of heart. If any of your guests is allergic to pink, please remember safety is the most important ingredient to a fun party.) n The Seer • September / October 2011

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