Quidditch on the Quad Returns to UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Quidditch on the Quad returns to The University of Alabama Sunday, Nov. 13, under the auspices of UA’s Creative Campus in collaboration with University Recreation.

The event is free and open to the public.

The event at UA’s Quad begins at noon and ends at dusk. More than 930 UA students, representing 82 different teams, have registered to compete for the World Cup.The tournament will feature teams from a wide range of student organizations including the UA School of Law, the Japan Club, the Academic Honor Council and the Million Dollar Band.

Originally a fictional sport from J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” book series, Quidditch was modified by college students into “ground quidditch” or “muggle quidditch” to be played in the real world. Tournament teams will follow the rules and guidelines of the International Quidditch Association, the group that created the sport in 2005 at Middlebury College.

The sport is a fast-paced combination of rugby, soccer and volleyball; participants holding a broomstick between their legs at all times. Teams are co-ed and are composed of seven to 14 players. Games last about 30 minutes with seven players from each team on the field at a time.

For spectators, activities created around the theme of the Harry Potter novels will include wand-making, house-sorting and the American Chemical Society providing “potions lessons.” Bama Dining will sell butterbeer, caramel popcorn and candy apples. Literacy organizations such as the Tuscaloosa Public Library and Literacy is the Edge will offer other Harry Potter-themed activities.

Preliminary rounds will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, on the University Recreation fields.The preliminary matches and festivities on Thursday and Sunday are all free and open to the public.

Creative Campus interns have produced a new video supporting the event that can be viewed online at http://vimeo.com/31506308. For more information, phone Creative Campus at 205/348-7884 or visit www.creativecampus.ua.edu.

Creative Campus also is selling pre-orders of the official Quidditch on the Quad T-shirt to benefit the Tuscaloosa County Schools Reading Coaches Team. Each reading coach works with a specific elementary school in the Tuscaloosa County School System to develop reading programs and promote good reading habits. T-shirts can be ordered online at http://www.promotes.me/qqii or at Maxwell Hall on The University of Alabama campus.

Under the auspices of UA’s Office of Academic Affairs, Creative Campus is a collaborative system connecting students, faculty and community to nurture innovative thinkers who turn ideas into action. Creative Campus seeks to serve as a hub of collaboration and creative activity at The University of Alabama. At the heart of Creative Campus is the undergraduate and graduate intern program. For more information on Creative Campus, visit www.creativecampus.ua.edu.