Athletes have always been notorious for their crazy superstitions and traditions.  All athletes have that one thing they just have to do before every game or competition.  Superstitions can become part of an athlete’s daily routine.  They are a part of sports, from amateurs to professionals.  They can be big, or small, from putting one shoe on before the other, reading the same bible verse.  Whether or not these actions have anything to do with the athletes performance, nobody knows, as long as the athlete thinks it they will keep doing them.

    Many professional athletes have superstitions.  Michael Jordan always wore his North Carolina shorts under his Bulls shorts.  Wade Boggs, former professional baseball player, only ate chicken before a game.

    Many high school athletes also have superstitions.  Craig Rekemper, a senior at Edwardsville High school, puts his uniform on the same way before every game.  “I don’t know why I do it, I’m really not that superstitious, it’s just something I do.”

Nick Griebel, senior, wore the same shirt under his jersey every game.  “I had a good game with it my freshman year, so I just kept doing it,” said Nick. 

    It's not just individuals that have superstitions, many teams at EHS have certain things they do that they feel will give them the edge on a game.  The Edwardsville cheerleaders have superstitions of their own.  “We have to find what we call Siamese food before the state competition,” said junior Lizzie White.  “Siamese food” is food that is stuck together.

    The real question behind superstitions is, do they really work?  Does skipping showering before a game really have an affect on how you perform?  “I think it gives you a mental edge,” said Michelle Pranger.  “It kind of calms you down, thinking that you can control the outcome somehow.”

    Superstitions have been a part of sports since the days of James Naismith, basketballs founding father.  Whether or not they work, people are always going to practice them.  Superstitions are a part of our culture; they provide comfort in a stress- filled life of an athlete.  So…stop showering and washing your clothes, and feel free to spend hours on end thinking of a complicated handshake, because when the game is on the line, it’s the win that matters most.