At first glance, onlookers might wonder what students are doing running around a field with a broomstick between their legs.

They see dodge balls being thrown at the broomstick clad joggers while they sprint toward the opposite side of the field to throw balls of their own through large rings.

“WTF?”

While I’m perhaps the only person my age to have not read one of the Harry Potter books or seen one of the movies, even I know this bizarre looking sport is Quidditch.

Quidditch is a game the “Boy Who Lived” excelled at while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Featured in every Harry Potter book and movie, the sport is a pretty big deal to wizards, and now, to college students.

Students at USI founded the Quidditch team last year.

The sport is usually played in the magical world of Harry Potter, but it can also be played in real life with a few modifications.

While I am not a Harry Potter fan nor one to make a habit of running around with a broomstick between my legs, the game itself looks fun. I also believe it does not have much representation on campus.

I only stumbled upon it by accident one day at the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center, where I curiously observed a practice being held.

What I do not know is how I can sign up to play. 

Quidditch is a club sport at USI that needs to better promote itself. I think there would be a lot of people interested in playing the game, which to me seems like a mixture of dodgeball, football and basketball.

It looks as if it takes speed and athleticism to get across the playing field without getting hit with a ball, as well as hand-eye coordination to get the ball through the hoop.

Add a little trash talk and some teammate camaraderie and it looks like a promising sport.

But the Quidditch team needs to promote the sport more effectively.

I know when intramural signups are, and while Quidditch is not an intramural sport, I believe many are clueless of the new club activity.

Maybe the Quidditch team could hold a practice out in the quad to give passerby’s a glimpse of how fun it can be. They could also reach out to those who maybe aren’t die hard Potterheads.

I’m sure if people knew that they wouldn’t have to travel to Hogwarts to play, many would surely be interested.