Quidditch tournament caps off Hogwarts Week

After a week of wands, wizards and a Sorcerer’s Stone, all that was left to commemorate Hogwarts Week at Collins Living-Learning Center was a good old-fashioned Quidditch tournament.

“Hogwarts Week is a huge part of my life. It’s how I met my very best friend and some good friends,” junior Farrell Paules said. “It’s a great thing we Collins-ites can claim as our own.”

Senior Lisa Runion was the senior coordinator for this year’s Hogwarts Week.
Three years ago, she introduced Quidditch to the week’s events.

“I wanted to find something interesting to add to the lineup that was more active and participatory,” Runion said. “I researched online and looked at colleges and other places playing Quidditch. Then I adapted it. In our game we do it a little differently.”

Runion described Collins-style Quidditch as a mix between Ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball and hide-and-seek. She said the winning team earned glory and a picture with the Quidditch Cup.

There were two teams this year: “Orange” and “White.” Seven people were on each side.

The chasers played offense, and they tried to throw a Frisbee through the goal. A keeper on the opposing team blocked them. Beaters tried to throw dodgeballs at the chasers — they wanted to “knock them out.”

The golden snitch was a person wearing a yellow T-shirt who ran around Collins and hid. Both team’s seekers tried to find the snitch.

“My favorite part was when I looked behind me and saw the snitch running,” sophomore Jennifer Lynch said. “No one else saw.”

Because there was extra time, two rounds of Quidditch were played. There was no
clear winner.

“Our sport is not to be confused with the International Quidditch Association sport,” Runion said. “Ours is different with different rules. RPS frowns upon the use of broomsticks. It’s a safety hazard.”

Runion said she was happy with this year’s turnout for the Quidditch tournament and Hogwart’s Week.

“It was fantastic,” Lynch said. “Any excuse to dress up or do something crazy is good in my book.”