Counter Culture

Jared Arking throws the quaffle into a goal during Central Centaur's practice before Great Lakes Regional Championship Tournament in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday, October 29, 2017. The quaffle is a volleyball that is used to score goals by either kicking or throwing through the hoops. They can also be used to block bludgers, which is the red dodgeball.

Jared Arking makes a joke with his roommates in his dorm room common area in Merril 014 on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

Jared Arking prepares for class in Anspach 168 on Monday, October 30, 2017.

The Central Centaurs cheer on their team during a game against Ball State University Great Lakes Regional Championship Tournament in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

Jared Arking does homework in his dorm room in Merril 014 on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

Quidditch is often perceived as an imaginary sport that belongs in the magical land of Harry Potter. Most people believe it can only be played while flying on a broom chasing balls that fly as well. For Jared Arking and the Central Centaurs, the game is slightly different. According to USQ, the United States Quidditch, Quidditch is a mixed gender contact sport that is combined with elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag. A team is comprised of seven athletes on the field with a broom (wooden stick) between their legs at all times. The team is comprised of one seeker, one keeper, two beaters, and three chasers. The seeker chases and catches the snitch to score points and end the game. The snitch is a runner dressed in yellow with a Velcro tail attached to their shorts. They are released at the 18th minute of the game and must avoid having their tail caught. Once their tail is caught the game is over. The keeper guards the hoops from opposing chasers, ultimately stopping goals. The chasers score goals with the quaffle by throwing or kicking it into the hoop. The beaters use bludgers to disrupt other players. When a player is hit with a bludger they must drop any ball they are holding, run back and touch their own hoop, and then re-enter play.