“Quidditch? Isn’t that the sport from Harry Potter? Do you fly on brooms?” I don’t know how many times I have been asked these question; however, it is more than ‘just the sport from Harry Potter.’ Yes, we are required to use brooms, but we can’t fly so stop asking. Quidditch is a mixture of dodgeball, soccer, and rugby and it actually requires a tremendous amount of physical endurance. Joining a Quidditch team is one of the most unique things you can participate in college and will lead you to an experience like no other because:

1. It’s a Co-Ed sport

Quidditch teams are required to have both females and males on a team. We have a gender rule that requires at least 2 female players from both teams to be on the field at all times. The sport is full contact and no one is off limits to get tackled. Through the sport, I’ve met some awesome females who can show me up at any point and push me to work harder.

2. You get to travel to other Universities

Almost every university has a Quidditch team and they typically host at least one tournament a school year. This means you get to travel around to visit other campuses that you would have never seen otherwise. This means you get to meet new people who you would have never met. Meeting other fans of Harry Potter and athletic people from different backgrounds has broaden my horizon. Furthermore, you get to see what cities have to offer. My team was able to visit a museum in Cincinnati that I would have never got to visit otherwise.

3. It gets you in shape

I started participating in Quidditch my freshmen year. Everyone is always worried about the dreaded freshmen 15; however, I actually lost 15 pounds by participating in Quidditch. Teams practice throughout the week and this requires cardio and muscular endurance exercises. Without Quidditch I probably would have gained weight.

4. It's a year round sport

Quidditch matches are played in sunshine, rain, and snow. No matter the weather, we will play. This is great because in the winter it still requires you to go out and practice and get some physical activity in-between school and work.

5. You get to meet similar and different people

Whether you join because you’re a Harry Potter nerd (like me) or because you love sports, there is something there for everyone. It’s a sport where nerds and athletic people meet which allows you to become friends with people you never would have dreamed of. Some of the best people I’ve met was through Quidditch.

6. It’s something unique to put on a resume

Quidditch stands out to everyone, whether that's because they love Harry Potter or because they have no idea what it is. People will ask you about it and will remember your name for it. Our former Quidditch President got into graduate school primarily because he was apart of Quidditch.

7. It helps you form time-management skills

Along with going to class, studying, doing homework, and working, you have to fit in tournaments and practices now too. This allows you to start forming time management skills that will help you get everything done which you can apply in the future.

8. It’s Inclusive

Quidditch doesn’t care what race you are or what your sexual identity is. The people who participate in the sport are open to all ways of life and will never turn anyone away.

9. New Friends

You make a ton of new friends. You even start to hangout outside of Quidditch (and in my case you move in together). Quidditch has allowed me to make new friends from different majors I would have never met.

10. It’s fun!

Quidditch is unlike any sport and is so different that its exciting and fun to learn how to play. I’ve never had as much fun in any other sport than this one and I’m so excited to continue playing this upcoming year.