2008 Woodie Awards
Some athletes rely on pre-game rituals
Mark Misiak
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 4/19/07 at 3:49 PM EST
Last update: 4/19/07 at 3:49 PM EST
- Page 1 of 1
Patrick Roy always had to jump over the blue-line, Michael Jordan wore his Tar Heel shorts under his Bulls shorts and Nomar Garciaparra does that thing with his gloves - whatever you want to call it. When it comes to rituals, routines and superstitions, you won't find a weirder more ridiculous bunch than athletes.
The game day routine is pivotal to all athletes' success. Staying well rested, avoiding strenuous exercise, eating well, staying hydrated and focused are things athletes do if they want to perform well.
From JV basketball players to professional boxers, these steps can be taken to achieve peak performances.
For many athletes, it goes far beyond simple proper game-day preparation.
Some athletes, including many here at Plattsburgh State, follow strict routines that they feel give them an advantage when crunch time comes. For those who have any rituals, the superstition takes precedence over the game day routine itself.
This past season, Anthony Williams led the men's basketball team to its second successive SUNYAC title and was named the SUNYAC player of the year. Perhaps some of his success lies in his diligence in following his superstitions.
"I wear my younger brother's Siena College game shorts under my own for every game," Williams said. "I also like to listen to R&B before games and make sure I hit 50 mid-range jumpers and 50 three-pointers in the game day shoot around," also adding that he does not answer phone calls on game day - a tough task for one of this college's premier athletes.
His ritual is so important to Williams, he said he didn't even want to think about what would happen if he somehow forgot to follow through with one of them.
"I always, always make sure to pack my brother's shorts the night before an away trip," he said." That way, I can't forget."
Female athletes aren't immune to having routines either. Alyssa Recny, member of the Cardinal track and field team, admitted to having a few superstitions that she called "weird."
Recny always warms up before a race in a pair of black sweats and a red t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "distance girls do it longer."
Recny also always has the same breakfast on race day, consisting of a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter and honey and listens to the song "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg before a race.
"My teammate Toni (Wiszowaty) also always braids my hair into two French braids and as dumb as it sounds, I wear the same sports bra since a first-place finish in high school."
Athletes can be an obsessive bunch. They can obsess over getting in their workouts and making sure they're ready to perform.
However, it's all in the name of sport and it's all good clean fun. So next time your boyfriend or girlfriend athlete refuses to wash their socks, don't argue too hard.
The game day routine is pivotal to all athletes' success. Staying well rested, avoiding strenuous exercise, eating well, staying hydrated and focused are things athletes do if they want to perform well.
From JV basketball players to professional boxers, these steps can be taken to achieve peak performances.
For many athletes, it goes far beyond simple proper game-day preparation.
Some athletes, including many here at Plattsburgh State, follow strict routines that they feel give them an advantage when crunch time comes. For those who have any rituals, the superstition takes precedence over the game day routine itself.
This past season, Anthony Williams led the men's basketball team to its second successive SUNYAC title and was named the SUNYAC player of the year. Perhaps some of his success lies in his diligence in following his superstitions.
"I wear my younger brother's Siena College game shorts under my own for every game," Williams said. "I also like to listen to R&B before games and make sure I hit 50 mid-range jumpers and 50 three-pointers in the game day shoot around," also adding that he does not answer phone calls on game day - a tough task for one of this college's premier athletes.
His ritual is so important to Williams, he said he didn't even want to think about what would happen if he somehow forgot to follow through with one of them.
"I always, always make sure to pack my brother's shorts the night before an away trip," he said." That way, I can't forget."
Female athletes aren't immune to having routines either. Alyssa Recny, member of the Cardinal track and field team, admitted to having a few superstitions that she called "weird."
Recny always warms up before a race in a pair of black sweats and a red t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "distance girls do it longer."
Recny also always has the same breakfast on race day, consisting of a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter and honey and listens to the song "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg before a race.
"My teammate Toni (Wiszowaty) also always braids my hair into two French braids and as dumb as it sounds, I wear the same sports bra since a first-place finish in high school."
Athletes can be an obsessive bunch. They can obsess over getting in their workouts and making sure they're ready to perform.
However, it's all in the name of sport and it's all good clean fun. So next time your boyfriend or girlfriend athlete refuses to wash their socks, don't argue too hard.
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