World Cup Diary: David Fondren
Editor's Note: The IQA is pleased to publish its first World Cup diary. Where players from around the world tell us their story. If you want to share your tale, send it to editorial@internationalquidditch.org and you could see it in this space.
Photo by Kat Ignatova
My name is David Fondren, and I'm from the University of Southern Mississippi. I'm 24 years old, married, and I'm a speech and language pathology major. I've had a unique journey, with quidditch at the heart of it, over the past two semesters.
For starters, I've lost 70 pounds, 50 of which were lost in my first three months playing quidditch. As with nearly everyone who's had the amazing experience of playing quidditch, I've made friends from across the country and even the world.
The prospect of playing a sport, much less being competitive, was a very foreign idea to me until last September. I was a junior-transfer student at my university, and as a married man, I didn't put a large emphasis on developing a social life at my new school and had even less interest in extracurricular activities.
It all started when I randomly saw a flyer for an "Assessment Day" for the quidditch team. I mentioned it to my wife, since she was the Potterhead of the two of us. My wife encouraged me to check it out while she was in an all-day Saturday class, because if nothing else, it would get me out of the apartment for part of the day.Upon arriving I felt completely out of my element and very nearly left to go home. Most of the people in attendance were athletic, something I definitely was not, and those who didn't seem athletic weren't terribly out of shape. I, on the other hand, weighed about three times as much as most of the people out there.
Everyone was casually tossing around the quaffle before things began. I walked up and could feel myself being watched. Someone tossed me a quaffle, and I fumblingly managed to clutch it. I've never played sports unless forced to in PE class, so having a ball thrown at me - much less attempting to catch it - was something that I was just not used to. Other memorable events from that day include me pitifully running a 40 yard dash, and giving and taking hits, something I was actually good at. Throughout the day, I never felt like anyone was making fun of me or disregarding me. A few people even voiced encouragement or praise to me for even coming out. Our assessment day lasted for about six hours; some people gave up and didn't make it through the day. I didn't. I had started something that was going to become a focal point of my life.
There have been several times I've strongly considered quitting the team. I just don't have enough time to accomplish everything that I need to between the time dedicated to marriage, my coursework, a job, and quidditch, but the encouragement from my friends on the team has kept me in the game. Without quidditch, I would likely slip back into a sedentary lifestyle. Quidditch has become a part of my life that I truly love
Our team has fought hard and made it into World Cup VI Division 1. This is an extremely monumental achievement for our young team. We're extremely pleased with everything that we've accomplished so far this season, especially since February. We've gone from winning no games at the Wolf Pack Classic last fall to taking fourth place at Southern Regionals and making it into something we've all dreamed about since our first time on the pitch, the World Cup. We managed to accomplish this in spite of broken collar bones leaving two key players, including our captain, stuck on the sidelines this semester.
I've watched my team transform, and I've been a part of it. Since my first day playing, I've become faster, stronger, and more agile. I was once the polar opposite of an athlete, but I've begun transforming into what will eventually become one. As my transformation continues, I know our team will continue to become better and improve. We see improvement in every game we play.
Quidditch means more to me than I really know how to put into words, and I'm thankful to my team who gave me a chance, and continue to support me. I'm also thankful to my wife who continues to tolerate all the time I dedicate to quidditch. My teammates are more than just that, they are my friends and family, and part of my inspiration to better myself.
Regardless of how we performed at the World Cup this weekend, we are proud of ourselves and each other, because we made this happen. We've spent countless hours preparing & practicing and it all led up to the World Cup. Attending the World Cup was one of the best moments of my life, and I'd like to thank everyone at the IQA who made it possible.
Southern Miss To The Top!
