University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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1 2 I STUDENT LIFE The breeze ruffles the capes of the competitors, who stand tensely on opposite sides of the pitch. At the referee’s whistle they run, vying for a red and gold dodgeball and running toward the opposing goal posts. After one player successfully throws the ball through one of the three rings, a girl from the opposing team challenges the goal and says, “The point doesn’t count because his broom wasn’t between his legs.” Such a statement will only be heard in a game of Quidditch, a sport invented byJ.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter series. Now muggles, or non-magic folk, converted the high-flying game so that they could play on the ground. One of the newest Registered Student Organizations (RSO) on campus, Rcizorback Quidditch was bringing the pastime to the UA campus in 2009-10. The founders of Razorback Quidditch first saw videos of competitive Quidditch on the Web site mylifeisaverage.com. Upon further investigation, they discovered that other colleges, including Texas A M, Arkansas Tech and Hendrix, had Quidditch teams. Amanda O’Connor, junior biology pre-dental major, and Jennifer Newcome, sophomore dieteti cs pre-med major, decided that the UA needed a team as well. “We needed six members to start, and now we have 75 in our first semester,” O’Connor said. The plan met with student support, although some were unsure that the magical game would work in real life. Kaely Kantaris, a senior history pre-dental major, had no idea about other college Quidditch teams, but she thought that the idea of founding one at the UA was entertaining. “When I read the article in The Traveler about a UA Quidditch team, I was skeptical but highly amused,” she said. “The idea of college-aged people throwing balls around while riding broomsticks was hilarious.” In the books, Quidditch players can fly, but unfortunately, members of the Razorback Quidditch were limited to terrestrial pursuits. They had to keep their wooden brooms between their legs and maneuver as if they were on stick horses. The soaring goal posts were hula hoops attached to PVC pipe, and three stood on each end of the field. Each team had a Keeper who defended the goalposts. Three Chasers scored points for their teams by throwing the Quaffle (a deflated volleyball) into the hoops for 10 points each. Players called Beaters wield Bludgers (or dodgeballs) that they throw at the other team. If a Chaser were hit by a Bludger, he or she would have to drop the Quaffle, and a scramble for it would ensue. The biggest challenge was the Snitch, a flying golden ball that had to be caught to end game, a feat that earned the team 30 points. The Snitch was played by a long-distance runner dressed in gold, who evaded the each team’s Seeker. Ibe game ended either when the Snitch was caught or when the designated 20 minutes are up. On Apr. 10, 2010, Razorback Quidditch hosted a Quidditch Campus Cup between the residence halls. Shouts filled the Gardens as they teams raced over the grass, with the Snitch running in and out of the players’ paths. The Pomfret Ducks and the Futrall Flames played to the end of the Cup, and the Flames were victorious. The play was fierce, with many players struggling over the Quaffle: at one point two opposing players were locked in a wrestling match on the ground for the ball. Quidditch was not a sport for the light¬ hearted. “The game on the field utter chaos,” Kantaris said. “It reminded me rugby or football with people fighting and tackling each other for the ball. It got pretty violent.” The RSO planned to hold more competitive events like the Quidditch Campus Cup. Their overarching goal was to establish a traveling team and play other universities. Practices were in the works. “We have the IQA - the International Quidditch Association, O’Connor said. “There are standards and set rules. Collegequki- com lists most of the college teams.” In the meantime, the members were still working on a name for the team: Broomback, Razorbrooms and Broomhogs were among the options being tossed around. No matter the name they choose, Razorback Quidditch would beat the broom out from under the competition. KAELY KANTARIS: “THE IDEA OF COLLEGE- AGED PEOPLE THROWING BALLS AROUND WHILE RIDING BROOMSTICKS WAS HILARIOUS.”

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Remembering every alumnus, graduates names are etched into the sidewalks at the UA. The Razorback Family: Generations celebrated both alumni and current students.

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THE CAMPUS COT A TASTE OF HOGWARTS-STYLE SPORTS WHEN QUIDDITCH PLAYERS INVADED THE GARDENS MUCGLE MAGIC STORY: MEGAN CLARK IMAGES: STEPHEN IRONSIDE v losely guarding the goalpost, a Keeper watches other students playing Quidditch in the (wardens. Residence hajtb paPj dgerl.or mm. mm Aiif.V V?, .