Superstitions of Canadian Intercollegiate Athletes: an Inter-Sport Comparison

Abstract

Belief structures categorized as superstitions were investigated among members of six selected Intercollegiate athletic teams enrolled at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada during the 1971-72 aca demic year. A mailed questionnaire was employed as the survey instru ment and distributed to 174 athletes chosen by systematic random sampling from lists supplied by the Department of Athletics. The over all return rate was 73.3 percent (team sport athletes 78.3%: individual sports athletes 68.4%). Using the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient to determine differences between rankings of superstitions in sub-groups, it was found that: (a) the rankings for sport superstitions were similar between team and individual sport athletes, (b) there was a greater similarity in the rankings of sport superstitions among males. Team sport athletes provided greater support for superstitions related to equip ment and its use; order of entering the arena or their playing position; dressing room activities; repetitive rituals; and sports personalities. In dividual sport athletes gave higher support for superstitions related to wearing charms; lucky lane numbers; team cheers; and crossing one self before participation. Sport superstitions were identified with par ticular activities, for example, (a) Hockey - equipment, order and player position; (b) Basketball — sinking the last warm-up shot; (c) Volleyball — superstitions pertaining to food; (d) Swimming — colour of suit; (e) Track — clothing, lane numbers and superstitions related to shoes; and (f) Tennis — weather and lucky balls (by brand). The recourse to su perstitious beliefs and practices as determinants of success or effective participation was found to be particularly prevalent among the athletes of the sample. The fact that 137 respondents endorsed 904 superstitions (with repetition) which could be grouped into 40 categories clearly in dicated the strength of superstition in sport.