After witnessing the mythical sport’s global rise in popularity, freshman psychology student and avid Harry Potter fan Chris Rhodes (‘17) decided to bring Quidditch to life at Flagler College. Inspired by Flagler’s Harry Potter Week, which once spanned an entire month, Rhodes saw an opportunity to create something magical.
“After partaking in a quidditch event during Harry Potter Month, Rhodes was interested in the sport, learned more about it and started the club spring semester of his freshman year,” Flagler’s student newspaper reported in a 2019 article titled, “Students find ‘family’ in quidditch team”.
In 2013, with the support of the Student Government Association and under Rhodes’ leadership as captain, the Flagler Phoenixes Quidditch team was born.
Reflecting on his time as founding captain, Rhodes said, “I wouldn’t change a thing. Being the Captain of the Flagler Phoenixes was a unique, fun, and thrilling experience. It connected Harry Potter nerds, athletic types, and everything in between.”
Quidditch, first adopted as a “muggle” sport at Vermont’s Middlebury College in 2005, quickly became an international college phenomenon. Combining elements of rugby, flag football, soccer, and tag, it brought the magic of Hogwarts to life. Its popularity soared in the early 2010s, with regional championships and the Quidditch World Cup drawing teams and spectators worldwide. By 2014, over 300 teams from 20 countries were part of the International Quidditch Association.
Two years later, Rhodes told a local news anchor that the sport had grown “to over 300 teams in the US alone and 500 teams worldwide.”
This rapid growth mirrored the success of the Flagler Phoenixes, who began as a special interest group in 2013 and quickly evolved into a prominent club sport. Students were captivated by the mix of athleticism and fantasy.
"Quidditch is about making friends and kicking butt," the team's website touted, emphasizing the camaraderie and competitive spirit that defined the team.
Despite initial skepticism, the team proved Quidditch was more than just a game for Harry Potter fans. They saw it as a rigorous sport demanding athleticism and strategy.
"Our sport, in many ways, is tougher than football," Rhodes asserted in the 2015 Q&A, addressing those who doubted Quidditch’s legitimacy.
Rhodes mentioned that the unique pitch in the Palm Garden, surrounded by palm trees, added an exciting element of difficulty and was loved by students and teams from visiting schools alike.
The Flagler Phoenixes embraced the standard gameplay rules of Quidditch, making it a full-contact, co-ed sport. Chasers aimed to score by throwing the quaffle through hoops, Beaters used bludgers to disrupt opponents, Keepers guarded the hoops, and Seekers chased the elusive snitch, a neutral player with a tennis ball. The game’s unique mechanics and the requirement to keep a broom between the legs added both charm and challenge.
"You have to keep it between your legs at all times to make it more authentic," Andrea Hartung, a Co-Captain her senior year, said in a 2016 interview. "So, if you fall off your broom, it's like you fell out of the sky."
Becoming an official club sport was a major milestone for Flagler’s Quidditch players, fostering a strong sense of community.
“It was so exciting to see Quidditch come alive at Flagler, especially in the Palm Garden in front of Ponce, a real-life Hogwarts look-alike,” Flagler’s VP of Student Affairs Tara Stevenson recalled. “I remember students coming out in team colors to watch the matches and it truly bringing campus together. One year they even had a student versus faculty/staff match!”
Although Quidditch has been inactive on campus for several years, the legacy of the Flagler Phoenixes endures. The team left a lasting impact, embodying the magic, camaraderie, and determination that made Quidditch truly special.
Alumna Morgan Cox ('19), former captain of the Flagler Phoenixes, fondly recalls her first Quidditch practices. As a devoted Harry Potter fan, she always knew she wanted to play, but Rhodes truly inspired her to join the team.
“When I met him at club night, he convinced me to join,” Cox told the Gargoyle in 2019. “I would not be on the team if it wasn’t for him.”
The success of Quidditch at Flagler was driven by the passion and dedication of Rhodes and other committed students.
“Mason Mushinski was a prominent captain following my graduation,” Rhodes noted, highlighting key players who were integral to the team’s success. “Carlton Clinkscales served as a dedicated Keeper throughout his time at Flagler and continued to play Quidditch for various teams after graduation.”
During their nearly decade-long run, the Flagler Phoenixes competed in numerous tournaments, showcasing their skills and determination. They played in the Southern Quidditch Conference against major universities like UCF, FSU, UF, Georgia Southern, Southern Miss, and South Carolina. A notable achievement was their first win against UCF.
“We're probably one of the only teams on campus that can actually say we compete regularly against D1 school, and we have beaten them before,” Alumnus Andre Pena (‘21), former Captain of the Flagler Phoenixes, said in a 2021 interview. “It's pretty cool to say that.”
Pena joined the Quidditch team his freshman year in 2017. Throughout his time at Flagler, most of the original players had graduated and “moved on.” However, he noted the willingness of former captains and players to return and support the team.
Support from graduates like Rhodes was something Pena relied on during his time as a player and captain.
"I hope that the coaches and players after me stick with it and don't abandon it,” Rhodes said in 2015. “I hope that they keep the name, the Flagler Phoenixes. I hope that they make it all the way to the World Cup.”
As Harry Potter Week remains a treasured tradition at Flagler College, the spirit of the Flagler Phoenixes endures in the memories of those who played and cheered on the sidelines.
“Who knows…maybe it’ll come back again for the next generation of Harry Potter fans!” Tara Stevenson said.
With hindsight, Rhodes recognizes the value of college years as an opportunity to find yourself and lifelong friends. He believes that playing a fun sport like Quidditch is one of the best ways to achieve this. To the next generation of Flagler students, Rhodes offers this advice:
“Get out there and play Quidditch!” he said. “Take it seriously like we did, or keep it local and have fun. It’s your sport now, Flagler. So, long story short, get together and raise this Phoenix from the ashes! It’s about time.”
