Students discuss religious impact on sports

By Steven Melendez/Staff Writer

FIU is one of the fastest-growing and dynamic universities in the nation, being home to students from all over the world. Along with them comes their different cultures and religions.

Often, you see these religions being expressed within our sports as well.

Whether a player decides to pray before a game or a coach wants to gather his team for a moment of silence before they step out on the field, religion in sports has constantly been involved.

For the most part, students around campus have no problems with these taking these actions.

“I think all athletes should be allowed to do whatever they personally feel is in their best interest,” said Nick Mason, a sophomore majoring in accounting. “It shouldn’t be a requirement, but if some want to lead in prayer and others follow, that shouldn’t be a problem. As long as they’re not forced.”

Forcing religious actions or beliefs on others when they are uncomfortable is important because religion should never be pressured on any one.

Since 1995, FIU enacted a Department of Religious Studies with multiple courses of various religions.

A big reason athletes do religious rituals before a game is because they believe it gives them a mental edge when they are playing.

Freshman broadcast media major, Jeanna Smith, believe this is a good way to prep before a game and experienced it themselves.

“Personally, for me, praying before a game helps a lot with my mental game,” said Smith, who has past experience in recreational sports. “Also, when a player gets injured you want to take a knee and pray for them.”

Throughout the sports world, you see athletes taking knees and praying for injured players, and it is accepted nationally, so it’s no surprise many students sided with the use of religion in sports.

There are some people who prefer it to be kept behind closed doors, but that is normal in our society.

FIU welcomes all kinds of religions and they continue to grow every day. Religion will continue to be a part of sports, even in the smallest ways.