The document is a proposal for a Quidditch event at Syracuse University on April 16, 2016. The event aims to connect different student groups and attract those not normally involved in organized sports. The proposal covers background on Quidditch, event objectives, budget, location, logistics, marketing, and risk management. The main objectives are to involve students from all colleges, obtain sponsorship to cover equipment costs, recruit 10 volunteers, and gauge interest in future events. The event budget estimates costs for equipment, facilities, and promotions to be offset by participation fees and sponsorships.

1. Quidditch For Muggles
Request for Proposal
April 16, 2016
Paige Serra

2. I. Executive Summary
Quidditch is a fictional sport that has just recently been brought to life. The main
purpose for holding this event is to connect groups of students who would not
normally interact with each other. The event, therefore, is aimed at the student
population of Syracuse University. The event will be held on April 16, 2016 at 2pm.
The following proposal will cover all aspects of putting this event on. Firstly, for
those who don’t know, there is some background information on the fictional sport
and how the rules translate to real life. There is a comprehensive segment on event
expectations and objectives. The objectives range from obtaining a certain number
of volunteers to having enough feedback and support to possibly hold this event
again in the future. The proposal also covers media connectedness as well as the risk
management for the event. I have also lined out a budget and estimated both the
revenue and costs streams that this event will generate. The event would look to
break even, at the bare minimum. The largest cost will be the rent of the facility;
however, the event will also look to find sponsorship to cover some of the other
costs.
Having an event for students to participate in is necessary to build a thriving
campus life. This event is unique enough to attract students who don’t usually
participate, but it’s approachable enough to reach a wide array of students. Though
the event is small scale and there will be few people running it, this Quidditch match
has the potential to engage a multitude of students and create an experience that
people are going to want to have repeated.

3. II. Background
The sport of Quidditch is derived from the Harry Potter series and was
developed by J. K. Rowling. In the books and movies, the magical characters fly on
brooms and attempt to score points by getting a ball known as a quaffle through one
of the opponent’s three goals. The game concludes when one team’s seeker
successfully catches the snitch. The muggle, or non-magic person, rules are as
follows:
Quidditch is a co-ed contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby,
dodgeball, and tag. A quidditch team is made up of seven athletes who play with
brooms between their legs at all times. While the game can appear chaotic to the
casual observer, once familiar with the basic rules, quidditch is an exciting sport
to watch and even more exciting to play.
Three chasers score goals worth 10 points each with a volleyball called
the quaffle. They advance the ball down the field by running with it, passing it to
teammates, or kicking it. Each team has a keeper who defends the goal hoops.
Two beaters use dodgeballs called bludgers to disrupt the flow of the game by
“knocking out” other players. Any player hit by a bludger is out of play until they
touch their own goals. Each team also has a seeker who tries to catch the
snitch. The snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the snitch runner, a
neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. The
snitch is worth 30 points and its capture ends the game. If the score is tied
after the snitch catch, the game proceeds into overtime.
During play, players are forbidden from taking certain actions, or fouls. Players
who commit fouls face different consequences depending on the severity of the
offense. A back to hoops foul indicates that a player must stop and return to their
hoops, as though knocked out. A yellow card indicates that a player must spend
one minute in the penalty box. A red card indicates that a player is barred from
the rest of the game. (Rules curtsey of: US Quidditch)
Many colleges and universities across the Unites States are developing teams
and clubs. The sport is rapidly growing and is reaching people and athletes that may
not normally participate in sports. The sport of Quidditch allows a variety of people

4. to participate in a cultural movement. Currently, Syracuse University has a
Quidditch club team though it is not considered a club sport. A senior trying to
impress his girlfriend founded the team in 2009.

5. III. Event Objectives
Because the event is so new and can be off-putting to those who do not
understand it, most of the objectives will revolve around gaining exposure for the
sport and for the Harry Potter Fandom. The general idea for the event is to grow the
idea of non-traditional sports and reach an audience that may not normally
participate in an organized sport.
1. Reaching all demographics is the main objective of the event. Therefore, I
would like to have at least two people from each of Syracuse University’s colleges
participate in the event. With two people from each college, I feel like this would
help to maximize exposure for the first year of the event and get a wide range of
people involved.
2. I would also like to receive enough sponsorship donations to cover the cost of
the equipment. I feel that it is unreasonable to ask each team to bring their own
equipment. It would be more beneficial to have two complete sets and allow the two
teams competing to borrow them. However, because there is so much equipment
needed, it would be useful to have these items donated. You cannot count on or
account for in kind donations, so there will be a section of the budget dedicated to
equipment and the costs to purchase them. Nonetheless, it would be a main goal to
earn enough in sponsorships to offset the costs of the equipment.
3. I feel that having at least 10 volunteers would help to make the event run
smoothly. I would need people to help run the event, referee, assist the teams
waiting, and check people in. It is unreasonable to expect to do all of this by myself.
That being said, I would only like to have volunteers who show some enthusiasm for

6. the game. Because this is a new event, I feel that it will go a long way to have the
tone of the first event being very positive and very Harry Potter oriented.
4. Lastly, I would like to have at least 15 people say that they would like to see
and participate in the event again next year. This would equate to two full teams. I
would get this information by having either a volunteer ask the participants if they
would be interested in doing this again or form a small survey for people to fill out.
Either way, I would like to gather some information to determine if the event would
be able to be held again.

7. IV. Estimated Budget
Below is an outline of what a possible budget for this event could look like.
Rather than have specific values for each figure, there is an estimate for the
number of each item.
Revenue Costs
 Participation fee-$10/person
 Sponsorship Donations (monetary)
 Sponsorship Donations (VIK)
Thiswouldlike tobe seeninthe formof
equipmentdonated.
 Equipment
Several tennis balls, six volleyballs,
20 sticks to use as brooms, ten
dodge balls, and PVC piping. 40
athletic cones, prizes for the
winning team, uniform for the
Snitch.
 Volunteer T-shirts
At least 10 forthe goal number of
volunteers
 Rent/Facility Use
$165/hour for the full field
 Water/Refreshments
Several cases of waterfor the
volunteers as well as those competing
 Marketing/Promotions
Enough to cover the cost of flyers.
Additionally, any costs with the
press release.

8. V. Location Selection
There needs to be consideration for the target demographic that will be
participating in the event. Because I would like the participants to be college
students here at Syracuse University, the location has to accessible to them. I would
like to be able to have the event on South Campus on the soccer field. The space
would be adequate to not only set up the field, but also to allow for spectators. And
to reiterate, it would be very easy for the participants to get to hopefully adding to
the overall number of spectators. The location is also easy to access for outside
sources. To clarify, if equipment needs to be dropped off or water for athletes, the
field is very easy to get to, making these tasks easier to complete.

9. VI. Event Logistics
1. EventOverview
The on campus Quidditch game/tournament will be held at the soccer field
on South Campus on April 16, 2016. The event will begin at 2pm and the matches
will be regulated to make sure that all teams that have signed up will play. Because
the event is being held on campus during the day, there will be no need for hotels or
places for people to stay overnight. The expected participation attendance is at least
28 people. This would allow for four teams to be created and then there would be
three games being played; two first-round games and then a final game to determine
the champion team. I would expect to have about 40 spectators averaging about ten
per team. The field that I have selected would provide ample room for fans to watch
and for participants to compete. The nature of the event revolves around various
sports balls being thrown around a field and aimed at targets at either end of the
field.

10. 2. EventPlanningTimeline
May 2015- Inquire about securing facility/field for April 16, 2016.
Assume that the field will be used for 2 hours for the event.
June 2015-Follow up about securing the facility/field.
August 2015- Follow up again about field.
January 2016- Create the promotional poster.
February 2016- Send poster around to club leaders to obtain
volunteers.
February 2016 (Last week)- begin reaching out to sponsors.
Additionally, inquire about volunteer t-shirts
March2016 (First week)-follow up with sponsors and solidify
donations. Inquire about VIK for equipment needs
March2016 (SecondWeek)-Obtain more volunteers. Purchase
equipment should it not be provided. Hang posters around campus. Open
registration for participants. Conductmore sponsorship follow-ups and
organize all donations. I will also set up and create all social media campaigns
during this time.
April 2016 (First Week)- Have volunteer shirts completed and
ready for pick up. Contact Health Services regarding safety protocols.
April 2, 1016- Issue press release indicating the specifics of the event.
April 10, 2016- Close registration and begin scheduling teams to play.
April 15, 2016- Construct goalposts and prepare equipment to be
transported.
April 16, 2016- Set up for event, train volunteers, check in teams, run
the contests, award prizes to the winners, clean up event, pass out surveys or
inquire about the possibility of doing the event again, write thank you notes to
the sponsors.
Additionally, do a post-event write up as to how the event went.

11. 3. Facility Layout/Consideration
The facility in which the event will be held is the soccer field on South
Campus. There is parking right next to the field and there is a campus bus that will
be able to transport students to the field. Because the event will be held on a field,
there will be no need for road closures. There will be a fee of $165/hour for the full
filed that will need to be paid to use the field. This will have to be taken care of well
in advanced so that the date of the event does not conflict with any other events. To
set up for the event, there will need to be a check in table. This is where athletes will
check in and receive their equipment for their match. Additionally, I will have
probably 4-5 volunteers set up the field prior to the start of the first match.
Volunteers will also be needed to make sure that spectators stay on the sides of the
field when watching the event.
4. Equipment/EventNeeds
The equipment for this event is very specific and generally, people would not
have these items. That being said, all equipment will be provided for the event;
participants will not be expected to bring their own equipment. I will need several
tennis balls, six volleyballs, and 20 sticks to use as brooms, ten dodge balls, and PVC
piping to construct three goals for each end of the field. Additionally, I will need
athletic cones to mark the out of bounds lines on the field. Other team
considerations would include prizes for the winning team, t-shirts for the
volunteers, and a uniform for the snitch.
5. Staff
Based on current assumptions and needs, I would like to have at least 10
people volunteer to help for the event. I would recruit volunteers by advertising the

12. opportunity to different groups on campus. Specifically, I would inform the Sport
Management Club and offer community service hours in return. Additionally, every
volunteer will receive an event staff t-shirt. The volunteers will be responsible for
checking in the athletes, setting up the field, help organize the teams that are not
playing, pass out equipment, act as the seeker for game play, and assist with crowd
management. The volunteers will be expected to be there before the event begins
and a brief meeting will be conducted to aid in the understanding of what is
expected during the event.

13. VII. Marketing
Marketing will be a key aspect of my overall plan to get people to participate in
the Quidditch match. The target market has several different facets to it. Generally
speaking, I will direct the majority of my campaigns toward college students on
campus. Additionally, I could focus my scope and work to target the various
students who are part of each individual college associated with Syracuse
University. I plan on creating a promotional poster and placing it in various
locations around campus. Additionally, I will email the poster to the people in
charge of the different student organizations, such as Sport Management Club and
Float Your Boat, in the hopes that they will distribute the information to their
respective organizations. I’m going to be looking more for on campus support rather
than overall community support due to the fact that the event is targeted at college
students. (See Appendix for SWOT Analysis)
Some sponsors for the event may include Wegman’s (to donate money or
possibly water), Sports Authority (to donate money or equipment needed for the
event), Dick’s Sporting Goods (to also donate money or equipment), stores on
Marshall Street, like Insomnia or Chipotle, (to donate gifted items for the winning
team), Syracuse University Student Association Clubs, same as mentioned above, (to
donate money or time). I would make different forms of signage so as to represent
each business sufficiently at the event. Additionally, I could also put the logo or
business information of each business on the event staff t-shirts. Overall, I’m looking
for the equipment to be donated, price of staff shirts to be covered, and costs to use
the facility to be accounted for.

14. VIII. Media/Public Relations
The following representations are examples of some of the different items
incorporated within my media package. The press release highlights the major
elements of the Quidditch match and includes any pertinent information regarding
the date, time, and location of the event. The flyer includes similar information and
will also provide simplified information on how to sign up for the event. The letter
will be somewhat of a form letter that will be sent out to the different student
organizations on campus. It will outline how they can either sign up to participate or
how they can help out for the event. I have elected to not use a website for this
event. I feel that the most effective way to inform the student body about this event
is through the social media campaign as well as the club letters.
The social media campaign is going to include several different sites, all of
which a frequently used by the targeted demographic. The first thing will be to
create an event on Facebook and share it with students at this school. I’m in several
different student groups on Facebook and will be able to share it with a variety of
students. The event information will contain the location, date, time, and
instructions for creating a team. I will also be using Twitter, both my account and an
account that I create for this event, to promote the event. I will also be live tweeting
during the event about the game play and how the event it going. Additionally, I plan
on using Snapchat. This is an app in which people can send pictures to each other for
various amounts of time. I will be taking pictures and posting them to my story,
something that my Snapchat friends can view, as well as the Campus Story,
something that everyone on the Syracuse Campus can view. This aspect of the

15. campaign will sever the purpose of creating buzz for the match in the hopes that
more people would be willing to participate the next time that the event is held. I
will achieve the same goal by posting pictures to Instagram. Overall, I want to use all
of the outlets that my target market uses and reach them in the most convenient
way possible.

16. IX. Risk Management
The Quidditch match that I am hosting has very minimal risks to go with it.
Because this is the first year of the event, I suspect that there will be a minimal
amount of people spectating. Fewer spectators mean that there will be a slim to no
chance of altercations occurring. The biggest risk to account for is athlete/player
injuries. Though the game is not a very high contact sport, there is still the risk of
someone getting hurt. The best course of action, in the event that someone gets hurt,
is to have ice and first aid materials on hand. Additionally, if the injury seems severe,
it will be beneficial to be in contact with the University Health Services. There will
be no physical insurance, however, each participant will be expected to sign a
waiver indicating that neither the University nor I is responsible for any injuries
incurred.
In the event of bad weather, there is currently no indoor facility secured. I
would be prepared to delay the event for rain. However, if the weather gets too bad,
I would cancel the event and give each participant his or her entrance fees back.
Because the participants will be Syracuse University students, there are very few, if
any, traffic concerns or logistics of that nature to plan for. Most people will be
walking or taking the bus. It is up to the students to understand the bus schedule
and be able to get to the event location on their own.

17. X. Conclusion
The main purpose for holding a Quidditch match is to not only to bring fictional
elements to life, but also to bring students from a variety of backgrounds together.
The event will be held on April 16, 2016 at 2pm at the soccer field on South Campus
at Syracuse University. The targeted group of people for participation is the student
body of Syracuse University. The event also warrants volunteer support, which
would come from other students or student groups looking to get involved. The
minimal costs associated with the event will be covered from either sponsorship
donations or from out of pocket. However, the main source of revenue will be the
$10 pay to play fee that each participant will contribute. The event will be formally
announced and will have day of coverage. There will be a multitude of sources
through which people can find information about the event. Lastly, there will be a
follow up with some of the participants to determine if they would want to
participate in the event again. If everything works out accordingly, the event could
become and annual one.

18. XI. Appendix
1. AdditionalQuidditchRules

19. 2. Map of SyracuseUniversity Campus
(The event will be held on the soccer field near Manley Fieldhouse)

20. 3. Layoutof the QuidditchPitch
This is how a genuineQuidditch Pitch is set up. Mostteams will
play on a field of this size.

21. 4. SWOT Analysisfor Quidditch
Strengths Weaknesses
 Bringexposureto the idea of
new age sports.
 Intriguingevent that could
bring a lot of people.
 Bringingfictional ideas to
real life.
 Not many peoplehave
played or heard of this sport
before.
 Tryingto reach and expect
things from studentsis
rather difficult.
Opportunities Threats
 Bringa new event to the
University Campus.
 Allowsall groupsof students
to interact together.
 Community Servicefor those
who would liketo volunteer.
 Other eventscould be held
on the same day.
 The location could fall
through dueto a University
event.
 Securing the facility could
cause issues.
5. Sample MediaRelations Pieces
In order, the followingmedia pieces are: PressRelease, Sample
letter to send out to studentorganizations, and a Flyer for the event.

22. Contact: Paige Serra
Email: paserra@syr.edu
Phone: (248) 880-1935
Date: April 2, 2016
For Immediate Release
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY- On April 16, for the first time outside of the regulated club
team, university students will play Quidditch. The event looks to incorporate more
students into the sport side of events and involved demographics that represent the
entire student body. Muggles, or non-magic folk, look to dive into the Wizarding
world in any way that they can. Through the revised version of the magical sport,
students are able to bring the fandom and fantasies of Harry Potter to life. Students
will be able to form their own teams and compete on a muggle constructed
Quidditch Pitch. The matches will take place on Syracuse University’s South Campus
soccer practice fields and will begin at 2pm.
The sport is fast-paced and incorporates elements from many other sports. Some of
these being volleyball, dodgeball, and the simple game of chasing or tag. Players are
divided into different positions, chasers, beaters, keepers, and seekers. Each
position has its own tasks and responsibilities. Chasers are responsible for throwing
one of the volleyballs through the other team’s hoops or goals. Beaters throw
dodgeballs at opponents to temporarily remove them from play. Keepers block the
volleyballs from going through the goals. Lastly, the seekers, one on either team,
chase the “snitch” around the field. The first seeker to catch the snitch wins the
game for their respective team.
The event will be open to the public to come and watch. Being that it is on South
Campus at Syracuse University, the majority of the people there will be students.
Additionally, registration is geared more towards the students. The event will also
need volunteers. These people would help set up the event, check in participants,
and work on crowd control. Depending on how the event runs and the interest that
is expressed, the staff would be more than willing to put the event on again.

23. Quidditch for Muggles
Dear (leader of student organization),
Are you looking for a new way to get your organization involved around campus?
For the first time ever, outside of regulated play, there will be a Quidditch
tournament held at Syracuse University. All students are welcome to form teams
and participate. The event will be held on April 16, 2016 at 2pm on the South
Campus soccer fields. The fee to participate is $10/person.
For those who don’t know, Quidditch is the magical sport played in the Harry Potter
series. Each team needs at least seven members, as this is the number of people in
play at a time. The goal is to score as many points as possible, or have your team’s
seeker catch the snitch first. The sport is co-ed and is not as violent as many others.
Not only would the game promote a sense of connectedness to other groups on
campus, but it could be a great club bonding experience as well.
Additionally, if anyone is interested, I am looking for volunteers for the event. Some
of the responsibilities would be checking in the participants, crowd control, setting
up the field, refereeing the game, and acting as the snitch during gameplay. All
volunteers will receive event staff t-shirts for their work. If the organization can
agree upon this, volunteering will also count for service hours.
Quidditch is not one of the fastest growing sports because a piece of our childhood is
coming to life, but because people actually enjoy playing. The sport has proven to be
entertaining for both participants and spectators alike. Consider entering the
Wizarding world and test you skills on the Quidditch pitch.
If there are any further questions, please contact me either via email or phone call.
Additionally, if you would like to register for the event, send me an email.
Paige Serra
E: paserra@syr.edu
C: (248) 880-1935

24. PaigeSerra
Quidditch for Muggles
Enter the Wizarding World
April 16, 2016 2pm
Create a team and participate in one of the fastest growing sports. Bring the magical
world of Harry Potter to life.
Soccer Practice Fields (South Campus)
PaigeSerra paserra@syr.edu (248)880-1935
Email or call Paige Serra for further information in regards to signing up for the event or
volunteering.