middbrief MTV to accompany Quidditch on trip

Author: Chelsea Utterback

With decorated vans that proudly declare its organization and purpose, Middlebury Quidditch is taking its founding skills to other surrounding colleges over spring break. Beginning March 22, 25 members of the College's Quidditch team are visiting eight colleges with the aim of either introducing the sport or furthering the already established program at these schools. This exposure will be aided by MTV, which is having a camera crew accompany them for the beginning days of the trip.

MTV's coverage will go towards a show that showcases unique spring breaks to be aired during a week dedicated to all things spring break related. Shannon Engelman '11, a member of the Middlebury Quidditch Committee, knew of MTV's seeking possible candidates for the show and contacted them. According to Chris Free '10, the director of this show for MTV was a Harry Potter fan and was eager to show Middlebury's efforts to promote intercollegiate Quidditch. The camera crew will accompany the team when they visit the University of Pennsylvania and then also Princeton University.

Both Alex Benepe '09 and Free agree that by going to these colleges, armed with their equipment, their enthusiasm and an MTV camera crew, it will be hard for the other schools not to get excited about the sport. The hope, Benepe said, is that by inspiring them to develop their programs, come November 2008, these other colleges will send their own teams to compete in the Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup. Free specifies, though, that this is not going to be a tour of competitions, of Middlebury versus everyone else, but instead a time to inspire and have fun.

The eight schools that are being visited are Bard College, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Columbia University, Vassar College, Yale University, Amherst College and Dartmouth University. Benepe stated that any fans who would like to come and see the team off should come to Adirondack Circle on March 22 at 10 a.m. to do so.