Teams shoot for home-floor advantage during the postseason all
the time.
Why is this phenomenon so rampant in the sports world?
Well, as the name infers, it’s an advantage ““ in
every sport except gymnastics.
In the gymnastics world, hosting the NCAA Championships has
turned into a jinx of sorts.
In the past nine years, only one host team has actually gone on
to win the title (Alabama, in 1996 and 2002).
Twice, Pauley Pavilion has hosted the national championships, as
it will once again this weekend. Both times previously, the Bruins
fell victim to “the jinx.”
So, is the UCLA coaching staff worried about the effects of
“the jinx” during this year’s NCAA
Championships?
“I don’t believe in jinxes,” coach Valorie
Kondos Field and assistant coach Milo Johnson said together.
“I think hosting Nationals puts extra added pressure on a
team, and it’s up to the host team to either embrace that
pressure or not,” Kondos field said “It’s not
about jinxes.”
UCLA had better hope not, because historically, the Bruins have
not fared well as the host team.
In 1984, Bruins had an impressive 22-5 record during the regular
season, behind the leadership of three All-Americans.
But then came the National Championships at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA came within percentage points of winning the title,
ultimately falling to Utah by .500.
In 1996, “the jinx” would be even crueler to the
host Bruins, who boasted six All-Americans and a 16-6
regular-season record.
Starting the meet on the beam, UCLA suffered three falls, and
was not able to recover afterwards, as Georgia hoisted the
title.
History aside, UCLA refuses to consider the possibility of
succumbing to superstition. That’s why the program continues
to endure the long, drawn-out process, approved in 2001, that goes
along with attempting to host a national championship.
So in spite of its 0-2 record as an NCAA Championships host,
UCLA is looking past the prospects of a jinx with an optimistic
attitude.
“I absolutely believe we’re going to break the home
losing streak,” Kondos Field said.”
Perhaps they’ll break a jinx in the process.