Collins residents play Quidditch on campus

No one was riding brooms during the Quidditch Tournament at Collins Living-Learning Center on Sunday, but the spirit of the fantasy novels was still alive.

The third annual Hogwarts Week at the Collins Living-Learning Center rounded out on Sunday with the event’s inaugural Quidditch Tournament.

A game based on the sport in the popular Harry Potter series, Collins’ version of Quidditch is a combination of ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball and hide-and-go-seek. This particular match had 13 players composing two teams of three “Chasers,” a “Beater,” a “Keeper” and a “Seeker.” The final player was the “Golden Snitch,” who hid throughout the game while the two Seekers attempted to find him.

The game follows the rules of ultimate Frisbee, as players attempt to throw a Frisbee through a goal, or, in this case, three golden hoops on each side of the playing field. Likewise, if a player holding a Frisbee is hit by a dodge ball, it results in a turnover. The final score of the game was 210 to 10, and the winning team received the Quidditch Cup and Borders gift cards.

“This was certainly the high point of the week,” said Alex Lahmeyer, a freshman who played the role of the Keeper during the game. “But I also enjoyed the lectures and the wand-making seminar.”

Junior Lisa Runion, who organized the event, commented on the success of the week.

“We had some very good discussions on things like the history of Collins and Wizarding 101.”

Each lecture was attended by about 15 people. The week also featured movie screenings of the five Harry Potter films, each of which was attended by at least 20 people.

“I think we had a really good turnout, and a lot of people really came together,” Runion said.

Another successful event this week was the Mystery at Collins.

“An ancient Golden Snitch was stolen from Collins by a monster from the ‘Chamber of Secrets,’” Runion said. “In the latter half of the week, clues were left throughout the building, all embedded with Collins history to help people find the location of the Snitch.”

A camp out planned for Saturday night was canceled due to inclement weather.

“I was a little disappointed the camp out was canceled, but I think this time of year is a good time to have it because there’s no fall break,” Runion said. “It’s a very stressful time, so people need a release.”

The event was open to all students and will be again for the fourth annual Hogwarts Week next year.

“Collins is known for its unique activities like this one, and this is the place to live if you’re interested in things like this,” Lahmeyer said.