When you look around Notre Dame’s South Quad, you will see students walking to class, sitting out on the grass, or tossing a Frisbee around – normal college student activities.

But on Fridays around 3:00 p.m., there will be a group of students standing out on South Quad, with appearances and actions not common to your average college student.

“It’s kind of ridiculous, but fun. I’m sure we’ll get some odd looks,” said Notre Dame senior Megan Cefferillo.

Well, you would look ridiculous, too, wearing capes and running around with broomsticks between your legs. But the capes and broomsticks are essential equipment for the game of Quidditch.

“I’m playing Quidditch because it’s the best game ever,” said Notre Dame Freshmen Mike Wiederechd.

Quidditch? The Quidditch from the Harry Potter books?

“I’m a big Harry Potter fan, and I heard there was Quidditch so I thought it’d be a fun experience,” said Wiederechd.

Quidditch is a sport within the wildly popular Harry Potter series. In the books, the sport is played by wizards who ride on flying broomsticks using various magic balls to score goals through the rings and to knock other wizards off their broomsticks. There are three rings on each end of the field which are defended by a keeper.

Obviously, there are major differences between the Quidditch in the books and the Quidditch played by these ND students.

“This Quidditch is played while we run around with broomsticks that we bought at Wal-Mart,” said Notre Dame senior Michaela Gorman.

“This Quidditch and the Quidditch in the books is, well first off this is real. The ones in the book are just words,” said Notre Dame Alum Kevin McCarthy.

But running around wearing capes and broomsticks have attracted odd stares from fellow students walking through the quad.

“It’s fun just to see reactions from people that are walking by and be like, what are these crazy kids with capes and brooms doing on South Quad,” said McCarthy.

“I think Notre Dame is cool about it so it’s not as weird and everyone around has broomsticks so I don’t feel as weird,” said Notre Dame senior Xiu Tien.

And after a long week of classes, Quidditch is the one activity that many of these students look forward to, come Fridays.

“We just like to come out here and have a good time, blow off some steam after a week long of classes,” said McCarthy. “Kids get a kick out of this.”