Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the loud mouth. Born into a family of championship boxers, he is known for having a big head and a big mouth. His attitude is only amplified by an estimated $200 million in earnings and an unbeaten record through 42 fights. Mayweather is known for his smooth, fast boxing style. He is considered the modern-day Muhammad Ali, except he boasts a lot more money.

"Money" Mayweather. | Photo courtesy of Mshake3 via Wikimedia Commons

If Mayweather is Ali, then Pacquiao is Frazier. He is the constant recipient of Mayweather’s insults and challenges. The quiet, methodical pugilist is an idol in his native Philippines, as noted through his #1 albums and his seat in the southeast Asian country’s House of Representatives. When he enters the ring, Pacquiao becomes an entirely different animal. It is through his powerful and quick style that he has maintained a record with only three losses through 59 fights.

The two rivals, however, have never actually fought. There’s been a multitude of reasons preventing a tumble, from a disagreement on steroid testing to false reports of fights, which have had negative effects for both men.

In mid-January, Mayweather challenged his Filipino competitor to “stop being a punk” and “give the world the fight they want.” From there the two groups entered into negotiations. Nevertheless, it was again a flirtatious boast, with Mayweather announcing on February 1 that he will be taking on Miguel Cotto on May 5, a month before he will be serving a 90-day jail sentence.

Today’s obstacle? Money. Top-name boxers are easily the world’s best-paid athletes because in addition to a purse they receive for fighting, they are also able to take a percentage of the pay-per-view revenue. With Pacquiao and Mayweather currently averaging 1 million viewers per fight, they could have easily made a small fortune on what could be the biggest boxing match in 40 years. Unfortunately, the two men and their entourages could not agree on what an even split of PPV revenue meant. In other words, who was the biggest draw, the Pac-Man or the Pretty Boy?

"Pac-Man," or Manny. | Photo courtesy of Roger Alcantara via Wikimedia Commons

Still, they will not fight. The world will have to wait another year for what has been billed as the fight of the century. Just like with Frazier and Ali, it will break records. More importantly, however, fans will finally be able to have an answer to the barbershop talk, or if anything a new reason to debate.

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The player that mattered the most without playing a down: Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning, still going strong. | Photo courtesy of USMC via Wikimedia Commons

Sadly, the more talented Manning brother was sidelined early in the season thanks to his two neck surgeries in 2011. Although the first was intended to only to keep him out of pre-season and the first few games, Peyton was benched for the entire season after a second operation. This didn’t help the Colts, who earned a 2-14 record, their worst season since 2001. Now they have a conundrum going into the NFL draft—do they stick with Manning, who is still owed $28 million after not playing this past year, or cut him loose and draft Stanford’s Andrew Luck with the #1 draft pick? Everything is still up in the air, thanks to the firing of head coach Jim Caldwell and a respectful, yet non-committal stance on Manning’s future with the team. Only time will tell. Or Rob Lowe will.

Who hasn't heard of Tim Tebow? | Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons

The player who created a cult of fans and brought them to the Sunday Night Lights: Tim Tebow

Who is amazed at the popularity of Tim Tebow? No one. He has easily been one of the most charismatic players in the NFL this year, both on the field and off the field. From the phenomenon of Tebowing to his fourth quarter heroics, good old Tim may have proved that he can play QB at the pro level. Well, maybe. Many of his heroics included him deciding to run instead of giving faith to his receivers and offensive line. He needs to grow out of this terrible habit. Especially when his receivers can do this. Then again, he’s Tim Tebow. He’s got God on his side.

The coach that took a team of scrubs and almost took them to the Super Bowl: Coach Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers.

There is only one phrase to explain the 49ers this season—better than good enough. And there is only one person to thank: coach Jim Harbuagh. One can argue that the team got better players, but that would be a lie. They had basically the same team, including semi-flop Alex Smith. All Harbuagh did was institute a new offensive scheme, change the locker room attitude, and spin the wheel. How’d that go? Well, the 49ers went 13-3, won the NFC West, and were a couple of lost kickoff returns from a Super Bowl. All in all they had great season, seeing as how they were projected to go 8-8 this year. So good for you, Harbuagh. No, you won’t get made fun of by big brother, John.

Now, for a look at the Super Bowl, a rematch and a chance at redemption. The New England Patriots and the New York Giants have been here before in 2008. On that day, the Giants walked away with the trophy, ruining the Pats’ chance at a perfect season and breaking this writer’s heart. Now, they have a chance at bringing home a fourth Lombardi trophy. For the Giants, this is the chance to prove that they are no fluke, that they didn’t just stumble into the play-offs, and that they earned their right to play. All I know is that February 5 is going to be a big night, and the only person who could really ruin it is Madonna.

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Will Tom Brady go down again like in 2008? | Photo courtesy of Flickr Commons user avinashkunnath

The Patriots have been a powerhouse team ever since they won three Super Bowls from 2002 to 2005, and although they haven’t won one since, they can always be found at the top of their league. This year they finished out the regular season with a 13-3 record. And while the Giants have only won the 2008 Super Bowl recently, they are not a team to be forgotten. Finishing this season with a 9-7 record, they have powered forward and remarkably beat the nearly undefeated Green Bay Packers to earn a spot in the 46th Super Bowl.

Although the Super Bowl is typically when you happen to find a bunch of middle-aged men shouting at the television when their team gets an interception and runs it back for a touchdown, fear not for the rest of you all. This day provides a perfect opportunity to dish out a famously delicious recipe for tailgating or to watch all of the ridiculous, 30 second commercials that companies will go to any lengths to secure a spot for during the game. But perhaps the best part, besides the actual football game, is the half-time show.

When the Super Bowl was played for the first time back in 1967, the half-time show started out as an opportunity for a selected college marching band to perform. It wasn’t until Michael Jackson’s performance in 1993 that the Super Bowl half-time show became something to actually look forward to each year. Following that performance, the hottest artists have been sought after to give a staggering show during the annual event. Some performances, however, have been more memorable than others, especially Janet Jackson’s wardrobe “mishap” back in 2004. Madonna and Cirque du Soleil have been secured to perform for this year’s game, with a rumored appearance by Nicki Minaj as well.

Between the Patriots and Giants facing off, to Madonna who will no doubt give an earth shattering show, this year’s Super Bowl is sure to be a promising event. Make sure to tune in to see who wins this battle at the 6:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC this Sunday February 5! Don’t be afraid to get dragged to the nearest Super Bowl party – even if it’s just to polish off all the hors d’oeuvres.

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Anyone can be a runner. | Photo by whologwhy via Flickr Commons

Running can be quite an interesting concept. For some, it is a way of life. For others, it is an enjoyable activity. For others still, it is the highest order of torture, something only crazy people do and a hellish ordeal to be avoided at all costs. It can be easy to get caught up in your runs and then suddenly just stop. Sometimes you get injured. Other times you decide to take the day off which turns into a two month reprieve, or perhaps you have never even ran before and are interested in starting.  No matter what your situation is, just take a deep breath. It will not be as hard as you think, and there are tricks of the trade that can help you. When first deciding to pick up running, there are a couple things to keep in mind:

Don't forget to stretch! | Photo by lululemon athletica via Flickr Commons

1) Go slow! I don’t care if you feel amazing your first day, and at the end of your run you feel as though you could run three more miles. Don’t do it. The first day or two are always fairly easy, but then the lactic acid buildup rears its ugly head, and suddenly it is not so fun anymore. It is important that in those first couple of days that you stick to a consistent schedule, and do not push too hard; after all, running is all about building a gradual stamina.

2) Hydrate! All the training in the world will not help you if you are not drinking enough water. The daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, so be sure to follow this.

3) While it is nice to run outside, many paths include hills or some type of incline. Before attempting to tackle these, try to get comfortable running two miles without them and then gradually add in the hills.

4) Make sure that you are not just running! You should be weightlifting about three times a week and taking one day to cross-train. Cross-training is simply using another form of cardio – think swimming or the elliptical machine. The lifting builds muscle, which will make runs easier, and cross-training lets your body have a break while still working.

5) Have fun! While running is wonderful, you have to approach it with the right mindset. Run to music, take time to think or whatever it takes to ensure your runs are not only workouts but also an enjoyable time.

It is not always easy to just start running with no goal in mind. A good way to ensure you will get into your runs is to be working towards some sort of goal. The best way to go about this is to sign up for a race, and follow a training plan. Having a set date for when you need to meet a certain date will push you to follow the training schedule, even when you don’t feel like it.  Below is a sample training plan for a 5K that is perfect for beginners.

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This season, the 76ers have a 10-4 record, putting them as the #3 seat in the Eastern Conference standings. To put this in perspective, after 14 games last season, the team was 3-11 and was on their way to a 41-41 regular season record. They were bounced out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat in the first round. In other words, they were average.

Andre Iguodala. | Photo courtesy of Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons.

This year, however, the team seems completely revitalized. Along with their strong start, the 76ers are also a statistical giant. They are currently the third most efficient team in the NBA. At the same time, they have the highest scoring differential at 15 points per game, are first in turnover difference and are in the top ten regarding all other team statistics, according to NBA.com.

Again, the question is “how?” How is a team that basically has the same faces as last season doing so well? There are two explanations. The first is that maybe they were always this good. With the pre-season shortened and other teams getting acclimated to new players and new coaches, the 76ers seem to be the one of the few teams that has it together–at least more than the others do. The team has always had talent thanks to players like swing man Andre Iguodala and third-year point guard Jrue Holiday. Plus, as an added bonus, their highest scorer is bench player Lou Williams.

However, there is a second explanation, and this one is maybe more likely. This could be a flash in the pan. As impressive as the team has been, their wins have come against teams that have the worst records, like the Washington Wizards, who won for just the second time on Wednesday night. At the same time, they have lost to every team they have faced with a record at or above .500. Their wins inflate their stats, making them look better than they are, while the losses show how much further they have to go before being a legitimate playoff threat.

All in all, the 76ers have started out the season well, but will it last? Although the season has been shortened to 66 games from the usual 82, how a team finishes still matters. With their impressive start, Philadelphia has proved that they are better than last year, but will they be able to make it last all season? I don’t know, but I do know I will be watching.

The Rise and Fall of Lana Del Rey by Briana Seftel

As the 2011 NFL season approaches its ninth week, it may be time to strike the Motor City’s sole football team from this list. After eight games, the upstart Lions are 6-2, the third best record in the league. Within their division, the NFC North, the Lions trail only the defending Super Bowl champions – the Green Bay Packers - who look nearly unstoppable at 7-0.

To understand why the Lions’ success this year is such a shock, one must look back to the 2008 NFL season. It was during this season that the Lions became the first team in NFL history to go a full season without a win, finishing the season 0-16. Among their defeats that year were a 34-7 routing from division rival the Chicago Bears, a 38-14 crushing from the Jacksonville Jaguars, a 47-10 thrashing on Thanksgiving from the Tennessee Titans and a ridiculous 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Detroit. Almost immediately after reaching – or is falling more appropriate? – to 0-16, the 2008 Lions were the consensus choice for the worst team in the sport’s history.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford warms up. | Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In fact, the next year was only a slight improvement as Detroit finished just 2-14. 2010 saw them finish a modest 6-10, earning a third place finish in the four-team NFC North.

Yet, it is this season that sees the Lions at their best in years. At 6-2, Detroit is certainly on pace for a playoff berth, their first since 1999. Among their six wins are victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears – none of which are easy opponents. Granted, the two best teams Detroit has played – the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers – have both been victorious over the Lions.

Much of the Lions’ success is attributable to the quarterback-wide receiver combination of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Stafford, the third-year QB from Georgia, is finally at 100% and thriving; through eight games, he has thrown for nearly 2,220 yards and 19 touchdowns, setting him on pace for almost 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns – MVP numbers by no stretch of the imagination. And then there is Johnson, long considered one of the most talented wide receivers in the league who previously underwhelmed due to poor QB play. Now though, with Stafford excelling, so too is Johnson; he is third in the league with 804 receiving yards, third with 47 receptions, and, most impressively, first with 11 touchdowns.

See highlights from the Lions’ week 3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, which saw them win 26-23 in overtime after trailing 20-0. 

The Lions’ home in Detroit, Ford Field, is packing in crowds for the first time in its 11-year history. Post-game celebrations in the locker room feature not just players and coaches, but local celebrities, including Kid Rock (yes, he counts as a celebrity). For once, the Detroit fans are being rewarded for their faith and finally being witness to exciting, well-executed and contender-caliber football.

By all accounts, the Lions do not have an easy second half schedule, with two games against the Packers and one against the Saints. But even if they lose all three, it is not unrealistic to imagine the Lions winning their other five remaining games. This would mean they would finish with an 11-5 record and surely mean that Detroit will qualify for the playoffs. If they do, even if only to crash and burn in the first round, it may just be one of the most impressive turnarounds in sports history.

Read more about the Lions here.

Does Detroit Need Robocop? by Annie White

Everyone's got yellow fever. | Photo by Briana Seftel

Bow-tie Man!

Not sure what his official title is—I vote for “Bow-tie Man”—but before the game commenced, he triumphantly entered the rink and sang two national anthems with so much passion and love! Engrossed in his singing ability, I wondered why no other sport has such a legend. The tux! The gold bow-tie! The voice!

Fight Fight Fight!

Wait a minute, hockey players are allowed to throw punches without any penalties?! Within the first five minutes of the game, players on opposing team got into a fight—for reasons unknown to me—and for a second I thought I was watching boxing and not hockey. Fans were yelling excitedly for the Bruin but I just watched in amazement, open-mouthed and all. A fight is not such a rarity in hockey; the referees just let them settle it. Nothing wrong with a little mano-a-mano decompression, right?

Fast Fast Fast!

Ok, you probably already know this, but hockey is a fast game. Fast may even be a gross understatement. Sadly, I missed the first goal because I could not keep my eye on the puck. As the game went on, it became more manageable to keep track of things.

Ready, set, go! | Photo by Briana Seftel

Introducing the Ice Girls…

Apparently hockey does not want to be left out of the hot girl/ barely clothed scenario, so the Bruins have the Ice Girls who don’t do much except toss t-shirts into the crowd. I wonder what the application looks like? Check “yes” if you’re able to keep smiling while maintaining a body temperature well below average.

Penalty Box = Time-Out Chair

I could not help but compare the penalty box to the illustrious childhood time-out chair. If a player commits a penalty, they have to go sit in the penalty box and wait until they are allowed to come out. Sound familiar? Surely as kids we all experienced the solitude, no, the torture of a time-out chair. It does not matter how old you are; in hockey, the penalty box of solitude had better teach you a lesson.

I’ve learned that hockey is not a sissy’s game. On the ice as well as off, it’s a vigorous sport. As a side note, the Bruins won 6-2. Take that Maple Leafs…Leaves. Good offense, yes! (Whatever that means.) Exiting the bright lights of TD Garden, I felt glad to have experienced hockey in its most glorious form. I do have one complaint, however: it is freezing in the stadium. While the game may be hot, spectators will get cold. Very, very cold.

The Terriers huddle together just before the game kicks off. | Photo by Jenny Cahill.

“We needed a big win against a good team,” he said.

The Terriers went into the game with a 3-1 record for their last four games. On top of that, goalkeeper Nick Thompson was recently named American East rookie of the week after stopping five combined shot attempts against Harvard and Hartford.

As the game got under way, it was apparent that the Terriers were in control of the game, leading in possession throughout the first half. It rained throughout the game, making ball handling an issue for the players. Possession would at times be lost due to the simple inability to keep hold of the slick ball.

The team kept a strong, short passing movement throughout the game, thanks in part to freshman wingback Taylor Washington. Washington kept marauding along the wing, providing solid passes and offering another offense option.

The BU defense was also on display, mainly due to the hard work of sophomore center back Kelvin Madzongwe, who was a great anchor and leader for this young team. In addition to constantly anchoring the defense, he delivered powerful crosses to the midfield.

Going into the second half, the game was not as tight as the 0-0 scored would lead anyone to believe. Providence only had one shot on goal, compared to BU’s three, and the Friars only a single corner kick, again in comparison to BU’s three. As the second half got under way and the rain picked up, the Terriers kept putting together solid plays, including a near goal in the 63rd minute from freshman forward Dominique Badji, whose strong shot was denied by the left post.

Providence also tried to take advantage of the Terriers’ fatigue, putting together strong movement down field. However, their only real chance came in the 11^th minute of the half, when the opportunity that a goalie error and an empty net provided was denied by the ever present Washington, who cleared the ball and dashed the Friar’s chance.

The Terriers in action! | Photo by Jenny Cahill.

The deadlock stood until there were 2 minutes and 44 seconds left in the game. Midfielder Stephen Knox, a senior, put away the game-winning goal after receiving a cross from Washington, which he quickly put in the back of the net. He put the boys in white up by a goal, giving them the winning score they carried until the final whistle.

When asked about his winning goal, co-captain Knox was modest.

“It meant a lot for me that personally I scored,” Knox said, “but just winning the game was even better. I just play for the team.”

The game puts the Terriers at 5-5, at the end of their non-conference schedule and is great momentum going into Saturday’s conference home game against UMBC.

Now, here’s an information session to bring everyone up to speed. Back in 1998, the league experienced a lockout in which players couldn’t play because there was no collective bargaining agreement (CBA). A CBA is an agreement between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees that regulate working conditions.

This lockout ended after 204 days when Commissioner David Stern made a solid threat to cancel the season if there was no agreement by January 7, 1999; the new CBA was agreed to on Jan. 6th. The 29 teams played 50 games, and peace was restored to the world.

However, the 2005 CBA has expired, and the National Basketball Association is again in limbo. A key issue is that players want a soft salary cap, which allows for higher salaries, while owners want the opposite, to save money. There is also the issue of an efficient revenue sharing among the teams themselves in order to better spread earnings. Players Association President Derek Fisher has made a point to try and keep players informed and united, while also calming fears. At the same time, he has been realistic about the many issues, noting that this will all take time.

Read the shirt.| Photo by Gamesface Photos via Wikimedia Commons

All the same, there is something missing: what are the players doing? Well, there are two things going on. First, many players have been playing in pro-am tournaments in cities like L.A., NYC and Baltimore all summer to keep in shape and to please fans’ palates. YouTube has been aflame with clips of amazing plays and street game highlights, which show gyms and outdoor courts filled with cheering people. Basically, they’ve been giving the fans what they want.

Next, players have been making deals so they can get paid to play. A number of small name players have signed up to play overseas, like Brian Scalabrine who is going to Italy. Players have clauses in their contracts that allow them to return to the U.S. if and when the lockout ends. Some major players jumping the great divide include Deron Williams signing with Beskitas in Turkey and Kenyon Martin to a Chinese team. There are also a flurry of rumors linking Kobe Bryant to Italy.

In the end, there is always hope this will be resolved. The players want to play, and the owners want to have a season just as badly. Just get it together everyone, because I really want to watch the Celtics go for banner number 18!

What’s Next? NFL Lockout Edition by Chris Walker

It has a website, so we know it might be lengthy. courtesy of nfllockout.com

As we all know, a season-long NFL lockout is a definite possibility. The players union has decertified and there is presently a lockout that NFL players and fans hope will end soon. But suppose there is a season long lockout. What will players do? Luckily for the NFL, I have a few ideas.

1. Chad Ochocinco (Johnson?): Reality TV show about his life without football.

Ochocinco will not be playing in the MLS. No self-respecting soccer coach would play him. However, Chad has recently had a presence in the reality TV circuit. He starred in his own romance based reality competition, “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch.” He has also appeared as a guest on others. Chad can not pitch another romantic competition show, as he is engaged to another reality star, Basketball Wives’ Evelyn Lozada. Here’s another option. What about a show detailing their lives together? It keeps him paid, keeps her paid, and both of them on TV. In the end, they both just want the attention.

2.Tom Brady: Stay at home dad.

Let’s be honest: Gisele wears the pants in this relationship. Remember when Brady was growing his hair and got into the fight with Randy Moss? That was all Gisele, and it makes sense. She makes more money than he does, and without the stability of the NFL and the new sizeable contract he just signed, that is not changing any time soon. Gisele is sure to demand that Tom stay at home with their son and raise him, while she acts as the breadwinner. Maybe she’ll let his baby momma, Bridget Moynahan, get in on the action.

3. James Laurinaitis: WWE wrestler.

He may not be the most popular player in the league, but give Laurinaitis a little WWE publicity and he’ll blow up. Luckily for him, Laurinaitis’ family practically is the WWE. His dad is a former wrestler, Animal, from the tag team duo The Road Warriors. His uncle is the VP of talent relations. The guy has the body and the family connections, so why not? He has talked about joining the family business in the past, and with unemployment looming, the WWE sounds like a better option than playing pickup football with Sam Bradford for a year.

4. Ray Lewis: Coach.

In all honesty, Lewis does not have many years left. I give him two, maybe, before he retires. However, he is one of the best defensive players in the league. Why not start imparting his knowledge of the game now? Here’s how it should play out. Ray Lewis starts coaching some young, talented small town high school football team, away from city life. Then, people remember he was in a murder case (it was dropped) and the town turns against him. In the end, he proves to be above this blemish and leads the team to a state championship and–here’s the best bit– teaches the kids to believe in themselves. That would make a great hallmark movie.

5. Randy Moss and Brett Favre: Forced retirement.

Anyone who watched the last NFL season can understand. Moss and Favre were bad on the field and difficult to deal with in the locker room. No need for further explanation.

Leave a comment with your ideas of what players could do with the free time and keep track of lockout developments (and the NFL draft) on nfl.com.

Oh NBA Lockout, When Will You End? by Chris Walker

BU Lifehacking: Freshman Edition by Amalie Steidley

Halloween How To: Boston Edition by Nee-Sa Lossing

Though Quidditch has every qualification needed to be an official sport, the game’s inherent whimsy is inescapable.

The team warms up with a game of bludger tag at practice. | Photo by Rachel Stine

“I think [the appeal of Quidditch is] because we don’t take ourselves that seriously, cause you can’t…Like, no matter how physically demanding it is, no matter how intense you get, at the end of the day we’re running around on brooms and we’re trying to catch a sock out of someone’s pants,” said BU Quidditch team treasurer Katie Stack (CAS ’11).

Intercollegiate Quidditch is adapted from the popular children’s book series, Harry Potter. While Quidditch in the books involves flying broomsticks and magical balls, the game was altered to be played by “muggles” (the books’ term for non-witches and wizards) by Middlebury College students in 2005. The game quickly developed into a full-blown sport which is now regulated by the International Quidditch Association (IQA).  BU’s team is one of 103 collegiate teams in the U.S. and competes with teams from all over the nation and the world.

“Every sport is kind of imaginary, you have to come up with it … this is kind of a way that you can continue the spirit of Harry Potter, since we’ve grown up with it,” said BU player Alice Crowe (CAS ’14). “I feel like we’re the Harry Potter generation.”

BU’s Quidditch team was founded in the spring of 2008, according to Stack, one of the original team members. The team currently has about 60 players, though only a sporadic number of players show up for the team’s weekly two-hour practice. The team is listed as an official student club on campus, and is run and coached by a five member executive board.

Quidditch gameplay involves seven broom-riding players per team who work to score points by throwing a volleyball, known as the “quaffle,” through one of three scoring hoops. Three players handle the quaffle around the field in attempts to score, and one player defends the hoops. Two players throw dodge balls, known as “bludgers,” at opponents to knock them out of play, and one player is responsible for catching the Snitch, the tennis ball in a sock attached to the back of one player’s shorts. That player, unassociated with either team, hides on or near the field to prevent the Snitch from being captured. Once the Snitch is captured, the game ends.

When BU’s Quidditch team was formed, Stack said the majority of those interested joined because of their love of Harry Potter. The team’s numbers have grown since its founding; the team now also draws people who enjoy the sport’s athletic demands.

“The people who are just in it for Harry Potter kinda thought [the team] would just be jogging around on brooms and just tossing a ball around,” said BU Quidditch Team President Joe Barkus (SMG ‘13). “But then, someone gets tackled and then they’re like ‘Oh, this isn’t for me anymore.’”

One player ducks a bludger to stay in the game at practice. | Photo by Rachel Stine

“I saw it at Splash [BU’s club fair for incoming freshmen], and at first I feel like … it’s something that you see and you just like think it’s a joke,” said Katrina Bossotti (CAS ’14). But once she started attending practice, she realized Quidditch was far from laughable.

“I love sports as it is, but this is completely different,” she said. “I mean, first of all there is a broom in between your legs obviously, but even it’s like a mix of dodgeball, rugby…It’s like a big combination of everything.”

With its mixture of Harry Potter aficionados and serious athletes, the team’s athletic abilities vary. Yet, when the time comes to compete, BU has enough physically skilled players such that they are a force to be reckoned with on the field, according to e-board members. During BU’s first Quidditch tournament in late February, the BU team beat out several local teams and took first place.

Most games that the BU team plays are casually set up between other Boston-area college teams, like MIT, Tufts, Harvard and Emerson, in order to prepare for the handful of more competitive regional tournaments. The IQA sponsored World Cup serves as the league’s open championship tournament.

“In a tournament, you’re on the pitch, you’re trying to score, you’re not going to sit there and go, ‘Oh I should take this seriously.’  You’re going to take it seriously in that moment,” said BU player Kedzie Teller (COM ‘12).

In a game that permits tackling and charging other players, concussions are far from unheard of. One former player had to quit the team because of the concussions she had received from Quidditch and other sports, Stack said. A current player chipped his tooth on another player during practice this season.

“If you’re a chaser on the team, you can pretty much bet sometime within the four years of you playing here on the team you’ll probably either get sent to the hospital, maybe stitches or a concussion,” said Schretzenmayer.  “At the World Cup you see paramedics running around.”

But despite the risk of injury, players typically wear little protective gear.  Players now use mouth guards, and those who wear glasses often put on protective lacrosse goggles.  Capes were once a prevalent part of team uniforms but were recently dropped due to the choking danger, Teller said.

Yet amid the bruises and broomstick regulations, Quidditch itself cannot escape its childhood lark origins.

“When you’re heading off to practice, and you’re walking in the street and you have cleats in one hand and a broom in another and a bunch of people who don’t know what Quidditch is walk by you … you can’t help but laugh and know that you’re part of something that’s just goofy,” Teller said.

For this reason, the BU team hopes that Quidditch will remain a club sport. They worry that if Quidditch became an official NCAA sport, politics and bureaucracy would take over the game’s atmosphere with rules about how much each team can practice and if players can be paid to be on the team.

“It would take the magic out of it,” Teller said.

Part of the team discusses strategy before a warm up game of tag. | Photo by Rachel Stine

Orienting to BU: The Complete Collector’s Edition by Jon Erik Christianson

Swoop, mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles, is bored without football too. | Photo by Kevin Burkett.

Ho-hum.

That’s my Sunday now, every Sunday. Now that NFL’s season has ended, there’s a gigantic football-shaped hole in my heart that even Arnold’s head couldn’t fill. I simply don’t have anything to do on Sundays anymore. I used to be able to sit down at home or at a bar from 1:00pm to 7:00pm and 8:30pm to 11:30pm on Sundays, then 8:30pm to 11:30pm again on Mondays, and bask in the sweat and blood of good ol’ American football. That sweat and blood, the grind, and the emotional pain were my own. Now, nothing.

What to do, what to do? Because if you’re anything like me, you used to have at least a three hour slot in your Sundays that you filled with a casual viewing of your hometown team. Let’s recover together. Misery loves company. So instead of football:

1) Get into NBA basketball. I know, I know. It’s not the same. It’s not even close. On the other hand, the NBA is incredibly exciting, AND you can watch it more than two nights a week. I don’t even root for a particular team! If you’re going to give me guff about the NBA being worse than college, I don’t want to hear it. We can talk during March Madness.

2) PAY ATTENTION TO NFL DRAFT CHATTER. The Combine is fun; every day you can hear something new on Sportscenter about so-and-so’s draft odds; also, this could help you in Fantasy Drafting next year.

3) Start watching golf. This, I didn’t do until two years ago when I realized that golf is actually mesmerizing in high definition. But if you don’t have HD…

4) Fake-gamble on the stock market. Pick up a Wall Street Journal every Sunday. Pretend to buy or sell stock. It’s a life skills thing. There’s nothing better than watching your fake money make you more fake money.

5) Do homework. What else can I say? It’s a last resort.

Long story short, you’ve got to figure out something. With a lockout looming, we might not see football for another 18 months instead of 6.