"Other" sports

[RyWalk]

I submitted my application without any sports checked off on the Activities form, I've been dedicated to other extracurriculars and never really did a sport in high school. I did try out for water polo, but didn't make the cut.

My school is starting a new Quidditch team, yes, that game from Harry Potter that they play on broomsticks. It's the "muggle" version, so you have to run around on the ground instead of flying. It's basically no-cut this year, so I was going to join the team just for fun. So now my question: Is this something I should call and tell admissions about to update my application, or would it look too much like a joke? I don't want to appear to be mocking the application, or trying to pass off a nonsense game as a Varsity sport.

In the game's defense, it should be considered a sport just like any high school sport. It requires just as much athleticism, sportsmanship, and teamwork as football or soccer. It is a bit goofy having to keep a broomstick between your legs the whole time, but the game has a lot of running for any position, and it's arguably more fast paced than football. So I will be working hard. You also can only really catch and throw the ball with one hand, because of the broomstick rule, so it even introduces unique strategies compared to other ball games.

So any thoughts about telling admissions or not would be helpful. I do think it would help my WCS if I added a sport, but I want to be taken seriously about the sport as well.

 

[buffalo]

Just my personal opinion, of course, but I would not report that as a sport. Perhaps it's my bias since I've never played quidditch myself, but I don't consider it on the same level as a sport that awards a varsity letter. Maybe add it as an EC???

 

[RyWalk]

I get that, it's not a sport that you would really get awarded anything for. It's really more for fun. But I believe the application asked to list not only Varsity sports, but other sports through a club or out-of-school organization. I forget the exact wording on the form.

 

[RyWalk]

I just checked the Instructions to Candidates file and think I found my answer (who woulda thunk?). It says "take credit for all events that were sanctioned by a state, regional, or national sports organization". "Use the resume section to list... other nontraditional organized sports."

So that answers that. Now for the part about admissions taking me seriously about it. Would it help or hurt to update that into my resume?

 

[flieger83]

Call the counselor and FULLY EXPLAIN what this sport is.

I know of a candidate from Alaska years ago...their ONE sport was "mushing."

Yes, dog's and sleds and SNOW.

They ended up being given credit for things like cross-country running, and such because of the level of fitness they had to maintain.

The counselors have a LOT of flexibility.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[RyWalk]

Well that's awesome. Thanks, I'll definitely do that. Quidditch is a is an intense game hiding behind capes, broomsticks, and weird glasses. The basic player (chasers) basically have to keep an eye out for the ball, keep moving down the field quickly, avoid tackles (there's very loose rules about what you can't do, so some teams play full contact), always be aware of dodgeballs being thrown left and right from beaters, and the game isn't over until someone catches the snitch (a cross-country runner dressed in yellow who can leave the field and go anywhere). I think it should count for something. I'll start a team if I get into the AFA