FIU Athletes and Their Superstitions

Ricky Dagand / Staff Writer

According to six time NBA champion and, arguably, the best basketball player to ever set foot on the hardwood, Micheal Jordan, “Success has nothing to do with luck.” 

And though it may have been just the skills, strength, and willpower that made Jordan the most dominant player of his era, there is one other thing Jordan depended on that helped him elevate his game; something that he would never play a single NBA game without. 

Jordan was known to wear his North Carolina Tar Heel shorts under his Chicago Bulls shorts, specifically the shorts he wore when North Carolina won the NCAA National Championship in 1982, throughout his professional career. Jordan, despite his claim, could be considered a superstitious athlete.

Here at Florida International University, the athletes give it their all to represent the blue and gold and strive to be the best at their respective sports. But when it comes time to play, what do they do in order to ensure they perform to the best of their abilities? Do they have any pre-game rituals or routines? A good luck charm? Here is what some of our top athletes had to say about superstitions and luck. 

VALERIA SANTOS – Defensive Specialist, Volleyball

Redshirt Senior Valeria Santos is a Defensive Specialist for the FIU Women’s Volleyball team. Hailing from San German, Puerto Rico, Santos has always been a dominant force on the court, from being an MVP and earning a spot on the National Team in Puerto Rico to competing in the NJCAA National tournament with Miami-Dade College.

 Before games, Santos takes time to assimilate how the game will play out. “This is not like a ritual of luck, it’s more like a moment of concentration for me,” said Santos. “I’m more of a believer in process and blessings. For me, “luck” is a mental word that many use. At the end of the day, everything is in the mind and it depends on if you play well or badly.” 

MATT FERNANDEZ – Pitcher, Baseball

Pitcher Matt Fernandez started playing for the FIU Baseball team as a freshman out of Florida Christian in Miami. Fernandez was ranked the 125th best player in the state of Florida and the 35th best right-handed pitcher in Florida by Perfect Game USA, a highly regarded scouting report service. 

When it comes time to start a game, Fernandez keeps the same stretching routine; a routine he calls a necessity. Though Fernandez claims he is not really superstitious, he says “The most common thing I do is probably if I play well using a certain undershirt or pair of socks, I’ll use the same clothing the next time I pitch.” 

TYRESE CHAMBERS – Wide Receiver, Football

After a record-shattering season at Sacred Heart where he was named an FCS All-American and a Jerry Rice award finalist, sophomore wide receiver Tyrese Chambers transferred to FIU and continues to put up big numbers. He’s already broken the single season FIU record for rushing yards.

The star wide receiver gets focused before a game by listening to music, stretching, and praying. Chambers credits his success not to luck but on blessings. Chambers says, “My pregame ritual is just praying & talking to GOD before I go to war. Win, lose, or draw; my pregame rituals will always be the same!” 

BERNARDO DOS SANTOS MONTEIRO – Forward, Soccer

Freshman forward Bernardo Dos Santos Monteiro came to the men’s soccer team from Cascais, Portugal to help FIU dominate the pitches. He helped guide the Panthers to a spot in the Conference USA and NCAA tournaments. “I believe that luck comes for people who constantly do what needs to be done,” said Dos Santos. “I don’t look at luck as a “negative” word but as something you look for when things aren’t going your way.”  

When asked about his pregame routine, Dos Santos replied “Before getting on the field, I kiss my bracelet on my right wrist 3 times, and I pray.” The bracelet, Dos Santos recalled, was given to him by his father.