Coach Earl Grant’s Game Day Rituals

Sports and rituals go hand in hand. Whether it’s a baseball player who swears by a pair of lucky socks, a coach who eats the same meal before every game or athletes performing elaborate handshakes during team introductions, game day superstitions are as much a part of sports as jerseys and mascots.

As the Cougars officially open the 2017-18 season against Siena on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in TD Arena, College of Charleston Basketball Coach Earl Grant intends to stick with the winning habits that have worked for him and his team so far. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Here, Grant shares four of his game day rituals:

Photo by Reese Moore

1. Coffee Chat with Coach Kresse

Who better to discuss game strategy with than legendary former CofC basketball coach John Kresse? Grant and Kresse chat over coffee at the Starbucks near campus on game day mornings. Grant always orders a grande-sized Pike Place Roast coffee with hazelnut.

Photo by Reese Moore

2. A Run Along The Battery

A pre-game jog along The Battery and past Waterfront Park helps Grant clear his mind ahead of the day’s competition.

Photo by Reese Moore

3. A Healthy Lunch at East Bay Deli

Grant eats a pre-game meal alone at East Bay Deli on East Bay Street. He always makes his own salad from the salad bar.

Photo by Marlene Navor

4. Shoot-around with Players and Coaches

A pre-game shoot-around with coaches and players is a chance to loosen up and get into game mode. Later, Grant will write down the keys to the game on a whiteboard in the team locker room, where he will remain until right before introductions and tip-off.