Steph MangoldA superstition is the fear of an unknown trust in magic despite evidence. Often times, athletes, adults and children use superstitions in their every day lives. For example, don’t step on the crack, or you’ll break your mother’s back, is one that children refer to when walking on the sidewalk.
“When I was younger and shopping in the mall with my mom, I used to avoid the cracks on the floor, so you would see me hopping from one tile to the next, so I wouldn’t break my mother’s back like the saying says,” sophomore Michelle Ward said.
People who fish might be familiar with the superstition of throwing back the first fish in order to have good luck the rest of the day while fishing. Or perhaps, an old custom is to say ‘Rabbits’ or ‘White Rabbits’ on the first day of the month as a good luck charm. It is important that it be the first word said that morning, otherwise the charm is not potent. Crossing your fingers helps to avoid bad luck and helps a wish come true
If a pitcher is throwing a perfect game or a no-hitter, never speak of it while it’s going on.
“Everyone knows if I am throwing a good game, to not talk about it. If something is said, I can guarantee that a girl will get a hit off of me the very next inning,” sophomore and women’s softball pitcher, Ange Templin said.
Jennifer Beam, also a sophomore women’s softball player, has worn the number 13 since her very first tee-ball game. Throughout high school she was involved in numerous activities and people frequently asked her why she wore such a bad luck number. “Growing up, my dad was always the type of person to do the odd or unusual, something no one expected. He always chose the number 13 in all of his sports, so when I was born I kind of inherited the number from him because I too was an athlete and my friends know how unusual I can be at times,” Beam said. “I think I have an advantage over people by wearing 13, because I look at it as good luck.”
“Before games, I always wear a certain shirt under my uniform, if I don’t it will not be a good game for me. Also, as a team we pray before each game, if we were to forget it would be bad luck,” Maureen McQuade, a junior field hockey and lacrosse player, said.
“I have had the same shoulder pads since seventh grade. It has got to be bad luck to get new ones now,” Brian Felice, a sophomore men’s lacrosse player, said.
“One of my favorite superstitions is when you find a four leaf clover, you will have good luck. I found one when I was in elementary school, and the next day I found $20 when I was walking home from school. It was great,” sophomore Desiree Ferrell said.
“I think superstitions are all in a person’s head. I mean, if you think something is going to be bad luck just because someone says something, of course it is. Especially if something really does go wrong, then you can just blame it on a superstition,” freshman Mariel Murtha said.
People may not realize they have superstitions in their day to day lives. It can be as simple as saying “I have a test today, cross your fingers for me,” or “I saw a black cat today, so something bad is sure to happen.” Superstitions play a role in people’s lives whether they are aware of it or not.
