University of Minnesota holds 'Yule Ball' for quidditch team fundraiser

The University of Minnesota held a special Yule Ball event Friday night in the DQ Club room at TCF Bank Stadium. The goal: A fundraiser to help support the cost of the travel expenses for the University of Minnesota's quidditch team.

During the recent Quidditch World Cup on Randall's Island, New York, the University of Minnesota made its presence known as they made it to the Final Four in the Division 1 Tournament before losing to the 2nd place team University of Florida.

There are nearly 200 athletes in the University of Minnesota quidditch program, which is the second largest IQA registered team in the world. Since forming, the University of Minnesota has grown to consist of 11 intramural teams and one competitive team that travels the United States to play other colleges.

The Yule Ball fundraiser has earned the quidditch team $12,000 as they had attendees from Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Virginia. Featuring christmas trees, fireplaces and an opening dance by the U's Quidditch board members, the Yule Ball resembled the scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - a winter wonderland theme similar to the book and film was the goal.

Are you looking to start your own quidditch team at your High School or College? Contact the International Quidditch Association and find out how.