2017 Minerva Cup
In Quidditch, the snitch runner is the player in the middle of the action.
Most team sports are binary competitions, contests between two opposites where you’re either playing for one side or the other. Quidditch, however, is the probably the only sport where a player unconnected to either side is on the field.
“It’s kind of like living in the ‘Hunger Games,’” says Burl Womack, who was playing the position of snitch runner during a match between the UNCG and Duke teams at the recent Minerva Cup Quidditch tournament held at UNCG. “Everyone’s trying to kill you and you don’t know if you’re going to get any help.”
For those unfamiliar with the sport of Quidditch, the snitch runner is the carrier of a yellow tennis ball, called the snitch, that is worth 30 points and is sought by a specific member of each team called the Seeker. The ball is carried in a sock dangling from the snitch runner’s belt and can be snatched by only a seeker, similar to a flag in flag football. While the snitch runner is required to show no partiality to either team, teams that are behind in points will often place themselves in front of the snitch runner to prevent the other team from seizing the snitch and scoring a possibly game-making 30 points.
“It’s like a wrestling match going on in the middle of the game,” says UNCG team member Michael Gill of the contest to seize the snitch.”Along with the brooms, it’s what makes quidditch different than other sports.”
The UNCG Quidditch Club hosted their annual Minerva Cup Tournament October 14th. Here are some photos from the event. Learn more about the Quidditch Club by checking out one of their practices or upcoming events.
Football Club Continues to Thrive
Football Club continues undefeated streak.
The UNCG Football Club racked up another victory Sunday, increasing its undefeated streak to 4-0 with a 21-20 win over Kennesaw State University in front of a hometown crowd at UNCG’s Recreational Field.
“More and more people are coming out to each game,” said UNCG junior Jerry Royster, who had come to support classmates who play on the team. “A lot of people wonder why the school doesn’t have a football team, but this is a good start.”
“If we win the next game we’re in the playoffs,” said UNCG player Quan Pratt. Pratt says the team’s secret to success is the coaching staff and an excellent defensive line.
“We’ve got the defense holding everything, and with our new OC (offensive coordinator) we can get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands faster,” said Pratt.
The Football Club has one more regular season game on the road November 4th at Teamer College.
