Team Spotlight: NYU
The quidditch club at New York University (NYU), known on-campus as Quidditch at NYU and NYU Nundu (New York, NY) by the IQA, has grown significantly since its start three years ago. The club started in fall 2010 and attended World Cup IV in NYC after less than a month of training. Bryan Hall, president and co-captain of NYU Nundu, attended the first interest meeting and quickly became hooked on the sport. Since joining, he has helped the club gain official university recognition and has held several positions, including public relations chair and vice president.
Photos Courtesy of NYU Nundu Quidditch Team
Gaining official university recognition was more difficult than anticipated. “During our second year, we were able to apply to be a club within the NYU Center for Student Activities, Leadership & Service (CSALS)” said Hall. “After a couple bumps explaining quidditch, it was revealed that the sport wasn't organized enough to be a recognized club sport, but we were too physical to be just a club on campus… CSALS had to create a new grouping for clubs like quidditch [at NYU].” Despite the unexpected challenge, Hall believes being officially recognized by the university was worth it. “We found our home, obtained our funding, and were able to officially hold the NYU name.”
Amanda Dallas started playing for Quidditch at NYU in October 2011, after Hall encouraged her to join the team. She is now the vice president, co-captain, and head of the beater squad for the Nundus. “Apparently it's fairly easy for a former softball player to pick up beating,” joked Dallas, who is also the commissioner of the newly-formed Big Apple Quidditch Conference.
Members of Quidditch at NYU are divided into three groups: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Club, all of whom compete against each other for a House Cup. “Scrimmages are divided by houses...fundraising events and attendance all attribute to getting your house points, thereby creating a well-connected community for the club, one that isn't solely focused on the sport, but the community that it creates,” explained Hall.
One of the club's biggest challenges has been finding a suitable practice space. “Unlike most schools, we do not have a quad or a field where we can practice. Unlike most community teams, we don't have park space at our fingertips. Finding practice space has always been one of the more difficult tasks. Last year we practiced in a small park in Chinatown where we had to dodge small children, people doing Tai Chi, and amateur football players,” explained Dallas. Quidditch at NYU now practices at East River Park, with between 30 and 90 players attending.
Hall described the club's biggest accomplishment as qualifying for World Cup VI at the Northeast Regional tournament. “Putting a whole semester of time and work into the club, I saw the results of all this hard work when we qualified.” Dallas also listed that as a high-point. “We shocked the entire quidditch community when we upset Harvard during pool play to secure second place in our pool. The next day we beat Syracuse to qualify for the World Cup. As a senior, co-captain, and head of the tournament team, it was a moment of pure bliss,” she recalled.
To help fundraise for World Cup VI, the team created an Indiegogo site and eventually raised $2000 more than their original goal of $3,145. One of the most popular perks for donating was a personalized voicemail message from Anna Brisbin, also known as “Brizzy,” a popular YouTube user who is a player and secretary for Quidditch at NYU. Other popular items included team wristbands and autographed photos.
With so much accomplished in just three years, the Nundus have come a long way since 2010. Although they placed fifth in the Northeast Regional tournament and are currently ranked No. 50 by the IQA, the Nundus have been training hard for World Cup VI and will surely be a fun team to watch. Thanks to another successful Indiegogo campaign, a documentary about the team is being filmed to showcase their progress. “It's been very well-received on campus, and with the help of the NYU community, I was able to raise over $2,500,” said Dallas.
NYU Nundu at the Quidditch Northeast Regionals Championship Tournament, where they secured their spot for World Cup VI | Phone Courtesy of NYU Nundu
