Interview with a Nundu: Bryan Hall
Name: Bryan Hall
Nickname: Peanut Butter, Bry-Bry, The Bry-onic Man, Ryan
Age: 22
Height: 6'1”
Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK
Year: Senior, '13
Major: Politics
Jersey Number: 00
Position(s): Chaser, keeper, seeker, beater… Yeah, I'm that guy.
House: Slytherin, but other members swear that I'm actually a Gryffindor.
Playing Quidditch Since: …I helped start Quidditch at NYU about three years ago.
Why do you play quidditch? It started out as a way for me to relive my experiences from when I first read the Harry Potter series. However, quidditch has become much more to me than this. It's my family here at NYU and the members of the club, as well as the members of the quidditch community, are fun to be around. I guess there is something to be said about a person who can, in all honestly, take a sport seriously that requires you to have a broom between your legs at all times. It's these people and the experiences I have with them that keep me coming back.
What is your role in the history of the NYU Nundu? I founded the team with three other players at NYU. I created our first constitution and lead the team to a couple amazing victories during World Cup IV. After an injury, studying abroad junior year and a rough time at World Cup V, the club kind of hit an all time low with little wins underneath its belt. However, after successful summer training and with new leadership, the NYU Nundu have taken the pitch by storm and I am proud to be a part of that process. Someone once told me, "You’re the glue that keeps this team together." A compliment I proudly wear; however, I know that after I leave, the current freshmen will be able to fill my shoes because that's the kind of team we've built this year.
What is your favorite moment on the pitch? Honestly, my favorite moment on the pitch is the dog pile that happens after your team catches the snitch in a clutch game in a tournament. While, yes, the seeker ended the game, it took everyone putting in their all to make sure we won in the end. This is my favorite moment: our collective celebration of an amazingly played game.
(Photo by Michael E. Mason Photography)
Ever experience any injuries? Yes, sophomore year during one brutally cold game we were playing the NY Badassilisks and I took an illegal tackle from behind. I was taken down and landed unfortunately wrong, thereby tearing my ACL and meniscus in my left knee. After a little less than six-months in recovery, I was playable again.
What has most surprised you about the team this season? I guess it's different now being a senior and helping incoming freshmen rather than when I started out as a sophomore with a young team, but the sense of family and community that comes from these players has changed tremendously. In the beginning it was something that we all did and then we would all party together. However, now quidditch at NYU has become the home for some of these new players. It is this sense of community that I think will enable quidditch at NYU to keep growing.
What are you expectations for the Nundu at World Cup VI? We have the strongest team we've ever had right now. With some amazing pulls, we've collected a broad range of skill. I honestly believe we have a chance to go far at the World Cup. I know we'll see the second day for sure. However far we get in bracket play will be a test to see how many members of our team want to see the gold. The main thing holding us back, based on gameplay, is our substitution and the way substitutes are delegated, but this is something we have time to fix.
