Love of Quadball Continues to Soar After Emerson

If you attended the US Quadball Cup in April, it would’ve been hard not to bump into an Emersonian.

Not only did Emerson’s current team compete in the collegiate division, but alums played on teams such as the BosNy Bearsharks, Boston Pandas, The Lost Boys, Silicon Valley Vipers, The Second Stars, and more.

Along with the Journalism program, Tyler Trudeau ’16 was attracted to Emerson because of quadball (formerly Quidditch, after the game Harry Potter plays in the books). Trudeau plays for the BosNy Bearsharks, and was on the US national team from 2018 to 2023.

Playing quadball at Emerson would have lasting repercussions beyond his joining the Bearsharks. He and his wife met at a summer league.

“Personally, going to Emerson and playing quadball has connected me with some of my closest friends of all time. In my wedding party four of my groomsmen were from Emerson Quadball!” said Trudeau. “I truly think going to Emerson was one of the best decisions of my entire life. Continuing to play Quadball has also greatly benefitted my life.”

Trudeau explained why he likes quadball.

“Quadball is an inclusive sport that encourages all to play regardless of athletic background,” said Trudeau. “With multiple positions with very different rules and strategies it truly is a sport that many can succeed in. I love that it takes elements from different sports.”

Lindsey Simpson ’17 plays for the Los Angeles team The Lost Boys. She said the Quadball Cup was packed with competitive games, and the weekend was a great time, in no small part due to so many Emersonians flying around the field. Three more alums, Christopher Seto ’12, Tim Lawson ’16, and Anna Dannecker ’20, are also on The Lost Boys.

“I started playing quadball originally after growing up being heavily involved in team sports and being a Harry Potter fan,” said Simpson. “I never really expected it to become such a core part of my life and has led creating friendships that now have lasted 10-plus years, allowed me to travel the country, created an opportunity for me to continue within team sports, and continued to provide me with a community post-graduation.”

Seto discovered his love for quadball at Emerson, and captained an intramural Emerson team, which he credits to developing his leadership skills, instilled confidence, and made him more mature.

“Emerson was pivotal in providing me the education for my career,” said Seto. “But it was also where I discovered quadball, which has been an incredibly rewarding passion in my life for the past 14 years and is responsible for some of the most important relationships I’ve made in life.”