LSU Quidditch has brought together Harry Potter fans and athletes through a unique sport.
Based on the Harry Potter series, Quidditch is a sport that has been around since 2005, according to U.S. Quidditch. The University’s team has been around for about 10 years.
Some of the universities LSU plays include Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, Texas A&M, Texas State University, University of Southern Mississippi and Harvard University.
Club president and horticulture and French senior Celine Richard said she started going to practices with a friend her freshman year, but really got involved her sophomore year.
“Because it’s such a unique sport, it’s different than anything I had ever played for sure, that no one’s expected to know anything before they get there which is what drew me to it,” Richard said. “I’ve played soccer my whole life and it’s kind of neat to just try something different.”
The team often travels to Texas, Hattiesburg and New Orleans for tournaments. A school or community team usually hosts tournaments lasting one or two days where many teams travel to one location to compete.
The team has two tryout sessions each semester, which are usually held during the first or second week of school. Practices are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. at the UREC field complex.
“It’s a sport that really no one has played before, so that’s what tryouts are: an opportunity to try it out,” Richard said.
During tryouts, the team practices drills so each player can try the three different positions: seeker, beater and chaser.
“There are a lot of hardcore Harry Potter fans who get into the sport because they like the books, the movies and the whole enterprise, but there’s also others who just really like athletics, and it’s just a different way to get involved,” Richard said.
The team has a Marauder’s club for those interested in Quidditch, but not interested in actually playing. The Marauder’s club plans various Harry Potter themed events outside of Quidditch games, like a Yule Ball Christmas party and a sorting hat ceremony.
LSU English and sociology sophomore Grace Galeziewski plays Quidditch on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2017, at the UREC Field Complex.
