Superstition ain't/is the way
Many of us do it. Sometimes we
may not even notice it. We pick a
four-leaf clover for good luck or
avoid stepping under a ladder, and
who isn’t guilty of chanting that
famous childhood verse “Don’t
step on a crack or you’ll break your
mother’s back.”
Whether we believe in superstitions or not they are all around us.
With Halloween just around the corner it might be interesting to look into superstitions within the athletic world.
Throughout sports history many athletes have taken superstitions seriously.
Sammy Sosa patented his double- chest tap then kiss to the sky to celebrate his home runs. Jason Giambi would wear a golden thong to break out of a batting slump and Steve Nash still blows a kiss before every free throw.
Superstitions are sometimes so common in sports that they are rarely noticed.
In basketball it is common to see players bounce the ball before taking a foul shot. This common practice is actually a superstitious way of achieving good luck. The same can be said about baseball players jumping over the foul line as they head on to the diamond. Although a common routine, this too started as a superstitious way of gaining luck.
A few Fanshawe students had some things to say about their take on superstitions in sports and if they have ever participated in any kind of rituals.
“When I played for Holy Cross, we would say a prayer before every game,” said Brody Luis, a former midfielder for his local high school.
“When I think about it now, I actually did do some weird stuff,” said Michael Gaudio, a former high school basketball player. “I would have to wear a wristband on the same arm in the same place every single game.”
Almost every athlete has some personal quirk that they believe gives them an edge. I remember fellow broomball players who would never wash their equipment all year because they didn’t want to lose their mojo.
“Some people just need their rituals and routines,” said business student Jesse Eyssen. “I can see how they can help you focus mentally on the task at hand.”
I was amazed, and entertained, by all of the superstitions and rituals Fanshawe students participate in.
When you’re out for Halloween this year you may want to be on the lookout for superstitious activity. Don’t let that black cat cross your path. Who knows, it may just bring you some bad luck.
Whether we believe in superstitions or not they are all around us.
With Halloween just around the corner it might be interesting to look into superstitions within the athletic world.
Throughout sports history many athletes have taken superstitions seriously.
Sammy Sosa patented his double- chest tap then kiss to the sky to celebrate his home runs. Jason Giambi would wear a golden thong to break out of a batting slump and Steve Nash still blows a kiss before every free throw.
Superstitions are sometimes so common in sports that they are rarely noticed.
In basketball it is common to see players bounce the ball before taking a foul shot. This common practice is actually a superstitious way of achieving good luck. The same can be said about baseball players jumping over the foul line as they head on to the diamond. Although a common routine, this too started as a superstitious way of gaining luck.
A few Fanshawe students had some things to say about their take on superstitions in sports and if they have ever participated in any kind of rituals.
“When I played for Holy Cross, we would say a prayer before every game,” said Brody Luis, a former midfielder for his local high school.
“When I think about it now, I actually did do some weird stuff,” said Michael Gaudio, a former high school basketball player. “I would have to wear a wristband on the same arm in the same place every single game.”
Almost every athlete has some personal quirk that they believe gives them an edge. I remember fellow broomball players who would never wash their equipment all year because they didn’t want to lose their mojo.
“Some people just need their rituals and routines,” said business student Jesse Eyssen. “I can see how they can help you focus mentally on the task at hand.”
I was amazed, and entertained, by all of the superstitions and rituals Fanshawe students participate in.
When you’re out for Halloween this year you may want to be on the lookout for superstitious activity. Don’t let that black cat cross your path. Who knows, it may just bring you some bad luck.
