Spotlight: Middlebury Quidditch
Written by: Peter Lawrence
Edited by: Serena Monteiro
Series Creator: Naresh Edala
About Middlebury Quidditch
Northeast Regionals, Fall 2018
Middlebury College: the school where quidditch originated! After being five-time national champions from 2005 through 2011, Middlebury Quidditch made their triumphant return to the national level in the fall of 2018, qualifying for US Quidditch Cup 12. But getting to nationals was no easy task. After winning just a single game at regionals in 2017, in 2018 Middlebury took second place in their pool. The final step to securing their bid to nationals was a grueling 50 minute game against Macaulay Honors College! Before COVID-19 cut the 2019-2020 quidditch season short, Middlebury tied for third place at the 2019 Northeast Regionals and was slated for another appearance on the national stage.
Aside from having the unique distinction of being the birthplace of quidditch, Middlebury is known for their particularly unique pre-game cheer and chants during the games which include variations on ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland.’
Middlebury’s pre-game cheer
Middlebury Quidditch is also well known throughout the Northeast region for hosting the beloved “Midd Quid Classic” tournament each fall. This unofficial tournament features quidditch matches between the Middlebury house leagues where players wear capes and ride real broomsticks as they did when quidditch was first played on Middlebury campus in 2005. Food trucks and “magic” (chemistry majors) are also a staple at this tournament which caters to both the collegiate quidditch players of the Northeast as well as families and the greater Middlebury, VT community. One of the highlights of the classic is the announcers for the main pitch. At the tournament, members of campus improv groups pair up with experienced quidditch players to provide color and play-by-play commentary, often leading to lots of laughs and some questionable quidditch analysis. Middlebury is excited about the possibility of having the Classic tournament return to during the 2021-2022 season and invite teams from throughout the Northeast to join us!
Once we are able to return to normal play, Middlebury Quidditch is excited to continue to bring a fun and competitive brand of quidditch to the Northeast and beyond. We have a lot of graduating seniors this year, but they’ll be leaving behind a strong group of young talent who will be ready to go once tournaments start up again!
Photos, left to right: Tufts, UVM, Middlebury, and RPI at the Midd Quid Classic, 2018; Middlebury Quidditch at the Midd Quid Classic, 2019; Middlebury Quidditch at Nationals, 2019; Ian Scura, Middlebury keeper, narrowly escaping death.