If you have ever played a sport, then you know that the performance of athletes goes beyond the preparation that has been put in. Both players and teams have set rituals or superstitions that they believe can vastly affect their performance on the field or court. Many may find these superstitions irrational or quirky, but to the team or individual it plays just as significant a role as practice and preparation. I got to speak with players from Fairmont States softball, women’s soccer, tennis, and golf to learn what superstitions these teams and players have.
Softball has one major team superstition, and it has to do with prayer. I spoke with Sophomore pitcher Delaney Haller to learn more about this superstition. She stated that before every game they gather around as a team to pray for one another. She noted, “We play a game of failure, it is so important for us to calm our minds and bodies to ensure we are confident, stress-free, and relaxed going into the game.” When praying she mentioned that they pray for guidance from the Lord throughout the game, safety for both teams, the reminder that their joy does not come from the events from the game but from Him and thanking Him for giving them the ability and opportunity to play. Our softball team won the MEC North Division title last season, could it be because of their superstition?
The women’s soccer team has several team rituals that they believe leads to their success on the field. These rituals are mostly carried out at home games, but one of them travels with them. On a home game when the women’s soccer team exits their locker room and travel across to the field three vital rituals occur. The first is a fist bump from assistant coach Emily Gallagher. Then as they make their way down the stairs the players tap the 1 located above the door they exit. The last ritual occurs as they make their way to their bench. Deputy Director of Athletics Ryan Courtney greets the players with a second fist bump as they walk past on their way to their bench. For these players these rituals are key to setting the tone for the game. For away games the assistant coach continues the ritual with the fist bump from her. This season the women’s soccer team has not lost at home, could it be because of their rituals?
While the men’s and women’s tennis teams do not have any team superstitions, they have plenty of individual ones. I spoke with junior Maria Fonseca to learn more about these superstitions. She shared that one player on the team serves with the same ball if they scored a point with it on the previous serve. Another player will sit on the side of the court where the winner of the match before won one. A third player always steps onto the court with their right foot first. And lastly, one player will not step on the lines of the court during a match. Our tennis players are top performers, could their superstitions aid in their wins?
Lastly, I spoke with senior Skyler Jefairjin about superstitions the golf team has. She stated that when they travel for tournaments, they always sleep in the room with the same people each time. She also said that their hairstyles play an important role. She stated, “If we play well, we will wear our hair the same the next day.” Lastly, she noted that they always warm up in the same order each tournament. Our golf team finished strong in the MEC tournament early in October, could their play have been associated with their tournament superstitions?
