BU Athletes Share Sports Superstitions

In the sports world, athletes have particular routines or they keep certain things the same to bring luck or consistency to their play in a competition. These routines are commonly called superstitions and are widely used not only by athletes at every level everywhere, but also among athletes at Bluefield University.

For example, Lia Santana, a member of the Lady Rams volleyball team, said she always makes music a part of her pre-game preparation.

“I always listen to the same song in the locker room,” Santana said, “and I always eat a Swiss Roll before going on the court.”

Her reasoning as to why these two things are particularly in her routine is that the song gets her “hyped up” and the Swiss Roll gives her “a quick sugar rush” to start off the game.

Nate Monroe, a member of the Rams football team, said his routine is faith-based.

“I read the Bible before every game. It calms me down more than anything,” said Monroe, who added that he picks a different verse before every game, instead of sticking with the same one.

Cam Dilla, a member of the Lady Rams softball team, said the most common superstitions in softball are to avoid stepping on either foul line before the game and to never cross bats during the duration of the game.

“Both of them are known for bringing bad luck in the softball world for whatever reason,” Dilla said. “No one wants to lose so no one does it just to make sure.”

BU students aren’t the only athletes with sports superstitions. Check out these superstitions from college and pro athletes in various sports.*

• When batting, professional baseball player Nomar Garciaparra always tapped his toes before every pitch.
• Pro tennis player Serena Williams never changed her socks during a tournament
• Pro basketball player Michael Jordan always wore his uniform shorts from college under his NBA uniform shorts.
• Brian Urlacher, former professional football player, always ate two chocolate chip cookies before every game.
• Former college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian had to chew on a towel during games.
• Former pro basketball player Mike Bibby clipped his fingernails on the bench during timeouts.
• Former pro basketball player Jason Terry would wear the uniform shorts of his opponent on nights before games.
• Richie Ashburn, a pro baseball player, slept with his bats.
• Former pro baseball player Wade Boggs ate chicken before every game.
• Pro hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky put baby powder on the end of his hockey stick prior to faceoff of every game.
• Another pro hockey player Stephane Labeau chewed 25 pieces of gum before every game and spit them all out exactly two minutes before faceoff.
• In NASCAR, green cars are considered bad luck.
• Pro baseball player Turk Wendell brushed his teeth in the dugout and chewed licorice while he pitched.
• Source: Business Insider.

Whether it be constant routines our unusual activities, athletes create a unique experience for themselves to develop a winning mindset and to, for lack of a better term, get their heads in the game.

What’s your superstition? Share your superstition in the comment section below.