SPORTS
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Superstition
within
sports: the
rituais that
make the
name
J for Guiiford
athietes
MANY TEAMS USE PRE-GAME
TRADITIONS TO EITHER PUMP UP
OR CENTER BEFORE THEY TAKE THE
FIELD, COURT, POOL
INSIDE SPORTS
Ma|or League Baseball preview
BY JOHN KLUEPFEL
Staff Writer
Kevin Ware injury
BY RISHAB REVANKAR
Staff Writer
BY LAURA HAY
Staff Writbi
"Whatever floats your boat" is the
attitude that athletes and coaches take
when addressing pre-game rituals and
superstitions. Routines play a role in the
wide world of sports. Guilford athletes
are no exception to the tradition.
Guilford football players are no
strangers to pre-game routines. For some,
a ritual will help ensure a win.
"I always get Matt the trainer to tape my
ankles because Gary taped me one time,
and we lost," said first-year quarterback
Matt Palowski.
Crazy ideas extend across the sports
spectrum at Guilford. Sophomore tennis
player Turner Votipka ate Bojangles before
matches in high school and still does.
Women's lacrosse players have a specific
practice before taking the field.
"They do a pre-game where they all get
in a circle and sway and chant (alternately)
'Guilford Quakers,"' said women's
lacrosse head coach Sarah Lamphier in a
phone interview. "I have one thing I tend
to say, which is 'It's a good day to be a
Quaker.'"
Coaches seem to support players'
mental preparedness as long as it don't
interfere with team chemistry and
performance. Most coaches believe it
helps improve game-day performance.
"I think that if a player feels good before
a game because of some ritual they've
done, then great for them," said men's
soccer coach Jeff Bateson. "The players
need to be as comfortable and relaxed as
possible heading out onto the field. I can
tell you that if something gets messed up
like timing on an away trip the players
can get out of sorts pretty quickly."
The ceremonies don't stop once an
athlete leaves college. Professional
competitors are also known for quirky
habits.
MLB player Turk Wendell would plant
exactly four pieces of licorice in his mouth
while pitching. After every inning, he
would dart to the dugout to brush his
teeth. At the start of the next inning, he
would re-enter the field with four fresh
pieces of the candy in his mouth, repeating
the process.
Arguably the most historic comes
from the most famous athlete of them
all, Michael Jordan. The illustrious bailer
purposely stuck his tongue out when
attempting a dunk.
These behaviors become as much a
part of game preparedness as training and
conditioning.
"They don't typically affect me, but
as soon as I don't do them, I feel less
prepared for the match, or I feel that my
game's going to be totally different," said
Votipka.
The volleyball team's dance has been a
tradition and serves a special purpose for
the team.
"I think rituals allow the team to Come
together and focus for a match," said
junior volleyball player Meredith Foscue
in an email. "I know for us personally, our
dance is goofy and loosens everyone up
before we step on the floor. It gets rid of
some pre-game anxiety. I think athletes
like them for this reason because they are
not beginning matches extremely tense."
It would seem as though rituals and
superstitions are an integral part of
athletics at Guilford. Players and coaches
alike do whatever floats their boat.
"I think rituals allow the team to come together and focus for a
match. I know for us personally, our dance is goofy and loosens
everyone up before we step on the floor. It gets rid of some
rregame anxiety. I think athletes like them for this reason
recause they are not beginning motches extremely tense."
Meredith Foscue, junior volleyball player