On Sunday, I was a part of something truly magical: Quidditch on the Quad. Yes, you read that correctly. My university and place of employment put on the second annual Quidditch on the Quad tournament. I am fortunate to work for Creative Campus, an organization so innovative and awesome that it turns our campus into Hogwarts. Last year’s Quidditch tournament was great with over 400 students registered to play, but this year we more than doubled in team registration. Thousands of people surrounded the fields and Diagon Alley to watch Muggle Quidditch, which was been adapted from the Harry Potter books in 2005 by students at Middlebury College.

Quidditch has become an international sensation with over 400 teams in the United alone. Many schools have intramural Quidditch leagues and compete against other teams in the area. There are reports of the International Quidditch Association petitioning to make Quidditch an official NCAA sport. The Quidditch World Cup has been going on since 2007, and this year’s was held this past weekend in New York City. Quidditch isn’t just about bringing this magical sport to life; part of the mission is community outreach. Since Harry Potter was and is such an influential part of our generation, communities that play Quidditch make a point to raise money and awareness for literacy. All of the money we at Creative Campus earned for Quidditch on the Quad went to benefit Alabama literacy.

I’m constantly amazed by the community here in Tuscaloosa. I never thought when I came to school here that I would hear Denny Chimes play the Harry Potter theme song or be around so many people that would share a love for something that means so much to me. As I watched kids run around the Quad on Sunday, it brought me back to those days when I was reading Harry Potter as an escape for what was going on in my life and feeling comforted by the story. All was well. While Quidditch may seem ridiculous to some, what it stands for isn’t. If one kid left this campus on Sunday wanting to go home and read a book, I am a happy camper.

Check out the awesome photos here:

Now is probably one of the best times of the year to think about buying a winter coat. It’s before the first I’m-so-freaking-cold-why-haven’t-I-bought-a-new-coat day, but after stores have brought out loads of coats – and even marked some down! If you’re in need of a new coat this year (or just want something that doesn’t say North Face on the shoulder), Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pick one up. If you’ve moved to a slightly different climate for school, by now you can probably anticipate what you’re going to need to get your butt to class every day; you’ll be home with your parentals’ moolah; and what better time to buy a coat then when you can get one for cheap (Black Friday, anyone!?)?

There are so many styles of coats (and capes!) to suit your personal style and work with your lifestyle. Whether you only go outside when necessary or you need something to watch Quidditch from the sidelines, there’s a coat out there for you. And, damn girl, they are cute! Read More »

It’s no secret that Harry Potter and his fantastical friends have taken the Muggle-world by storm. As we anxiously await the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, it’s not tough to lose hours daydreaming of charging through the brick wall to Platform 9 ¾, hopping on the Hogwarts express, and challenging evil with a wand in hand.

The world of Harry Potter isn’t real, we often remind ourselves. Or, is it? With the advent of International Quidditch Association, an organization that promotes both athleticism and a love of all things HP, over 25 American universities get to take the text of the Harry Potter series and bring it to life in their everyday sport.

With the IQA World Cup happening this weekend in New York (yes, it’s a real thing), CollegeCandy caught up with Jared Roher, captain of the New York regional team, and learned about the quirks of college Quidditch, how to find the best brooms available, and where to sip on a tasty mug of Butterbeer. Read More »

Clearly the fact that there have been six Harry Potter movies released, (two more in the making) seven books out in stores, and an upcoming theme park in Orlando, doesn’t quite express the extent of society’s obsession with the magic wizardly world. Because college Quidditch (yes, the broomstick-riding sport) is on the rise.

With over 200 colleges expressing their interest in the sport, including Princeton, U-Mass-Amherst and Vassar College, Quidditch is spreading like wildfire. It even has its own site, (for all you nerds out there) where you can have access to the latest Quidditch news and history of the sport.

Similar to soccer, the players try and get the ball, or Quaffle that is, into the opposing goal, except they try and do so while riding around on a broomstick…on the ground. Read More »