MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amanda Hof, Interim Executive Director, Visit Howard County [email protected] 410.313.1904
Sarah Woolsey, Executive Director, US Quidditch [email protected] 704.962.5099
Mary Kimball, Events Director, US Quidditch [email protected] 858.735.9719
Visit Howard County FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Quidditch Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship at Troy Park, Elkridge, MD Highlights: ● November 3-4, 2018 at Troy Park in Elkridge, Maryland. ● 25 collegiate and adult teams ● Admission is free and open to the public ● Merchandise Sales ● Free quidditch lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students ● Volunteer opportunities ● Harry Potter inspired https://www.visithowardcounty.com/us-quidditch-mid-atlantic-championship/?guid=f2751aa4-986a-44f 5-879a-b4aa74dc05b9&preview=true #explorehocomd, #usquidditch2018
Ellicott City, MD (October 25, 2018) - Visit Howard County, in partnership with Howard County Recreation & Parks and Maryland Sports proudly welcome US Quidditch (USQ) for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship, happening November 3-4, 2018 at Troy Park in Elkridge, Maryland. US Quidditch officials will bring twenty-five collegiate and adult teams, making it their biggest event of the season.
Admission for spectators is free and open to the public. Bleacher seating is available at all fields. Official US Quidditch merchandise will be for sale along with on-site food vendors.
US Quidditch will be teaching youth quidditch both Saturday and Sunday to elementary, middle, and high school students. Participants can sign-up on site to participate. All participants must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Waivers will be available at the event or can be requested in advance at by contacting [email protected].
Volunteer opportunities include field managers, setup and teardown, general volunteers, and youth quidditch. Those interested in volunteering can learn more at https://www.usquidditch.org/events/special/regional-championships/officiate-and-volunteer.
Restaurants and shops around Howard County will be offering Harry Potter themed offerings and specials. A list of participating businesses can be found at: https://www.visithowardcounty.com/event/us-quidditch-mid-atlantic-regional-championship/5730/
Quidditch is a full contact, competitive, mixed gender sport inspired by the Harry Potter series. It began in 2005 and has since spread to over 300 colleges, high schools and community teams nationwide. Quidditch is played with seven players to a team all mounted on brooms. Three chasers score goals by putting the quaffle (a volleyball) through any of three hoops at the opposite end of the field. A keeper defends the hoops, while two beaters throw bludgers (dodgeballs) at opposing players to temporarily knock them out of the game. Meanwhile, each team’s seeker tries to catch the snitch: an autonomous yellow-clad athlete who has a tennis ball in a custom-made velcro tail hanging from the back of their shorts, similar to flag football. A game of quidditch ends when the snitch tail is caught, and the capturing seeker’s team is awarded an additional 30 points. US Quidditch’s official rulebook is available free for download at https://www.usquidditch.org.
CONFIRMED ATTENDING OFFICIAL MEMBER TEAMS:
Appalachian State Quidditch Quidditch Club at Virginia Tech Carnegie Mellon Quidditch Club Quidditch Club of Pittsburgh Club Quidditch at NC State Richmond Quidditch District of Columbia Quidditch Club Rutgers University Quidditch Drexel University Quidditch Club Southern Storm Duke University Quidditch Terminus Quidditch Atlanta George Mason Club Quidditch The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill James Madison University Quidditch Quidditch Lock Haven University Quidditch The Warriors Maryland Quidditch Virginia Quidditch Club Ohio University Quidditch Club Wizengamot Quidditch At VCU Penn State Quidditch WVU Summi Philadelphia Freedom Quidditch Club
"We are extremely fortunate to have a great TEAM Maryland partner in Howard County. The hosting of the US Quidditch Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion, at Troy Park, is a testament to their understanding of how valuable the sport tourism market truly is here in Maryland and the county." stated Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director, Maryland's Sports Commission. "We look forward to seeing all the athletes, fans and families here in Howard County, Maryland in November."
“We’ve held some exciting sports tournaments in Howard County over the years but none have been as unique as Quidditch,’ said Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. “We hope that these Harry Potter fans will not only enjoy playing at Troy Park but that they will also take the time to enjoy the other great amenities that Howard County has to offer.”
Jon Weinstein Councilperson for District 1 in Howard County adds, “This ‘magical’ tournament will be a fun activity for players, visitors, and fans, and will draw people to the area where they’ll be able to experience the great parks and attractions that Elkridge has to offer.”
“Howard County Recreation & Parks is excited to partner with Howard County Tourism and US Quidditch to host the US Quidditch Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship November 3-4, 2018.” Stated Howard County Recreation & Parks’ Mike Blevins. “We are thrilled to host our first Quidditch event and highlight Troy Park at Elkridge.”
"We are incredibly thrilled, proud and honored to help host the US Quidditch Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship in Howard County, MD,” said Amanda Hof, Interim Executive Director for Visit Howard County, "This event will be a huge draw for Howard County, we look forward to hosting players, families, and fans.”
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