Roberts’ hand message post racing.
Courtesy | Anna Roberts

Before running onto the basketball court for a  game, senior Payton Adkins pulls out a marker and writes “AO1” or “FTGOG” on the back of one hand. Her notes stand for “audience of one” and “for the glory of God”. 

Adkins is one of several Hillsdale athletes who write on their hands, arms, and shoes during competitions. These messages serve as personal reminders and encouragement.

“I started writing a verse on the sides of my shoes last year to start reminding myself why I do this sport and why I live the way that I do,” Adkins said. “Then starting this year I was like, ‘I want more.’ I can’t always see my shoes or take the time to bend over to the side and look down. So I wanted something that I could constantly see and remind myself as I played. It was a way to keep myself anchored or calmed.” 

Adkins said she is the only women’s basketball player who writes messages on her hands, but other athletes in track and field and softball also use this practice. 

Freshman Mavis Banks said she’s written on her hands for track meets since her freshman year of high school. 

“The messages I write tend to be the same as when I started,” Banks said. “The first time I did it, I remembered writing ‘get out hard’ for an outdoor track meet. While varying, they consistently set reminders for race tactics — things I typically forget.” 

Runners often write time splits to keep themselves well-paced, as well as motivational quotes, according to Banks. She said she notices a difference in performance when she writes notes to herself on her hands. 

“I tend to panic when I get to the start of a race and forget the tactics behind doing well,” Banks said. “When that happens, I end up racing poorly. However, when I have a reminder to race smart, I tend to do a lot better.”

Banks said her messages remind her to have a strong and fast start, breathe evenly, and maintain good form. Banks added that occasionally she also writes her goal paces so that she doesn’t have to do mental math during longer races. 

“Most of my motivation comes from my teammates cheering me on,” Banks said. “Writing on my hand serves to remind me of the things they cannot always remind me of, but I will always draw the most motivation from those around me being so positive.”

While Banks’ notes on her hands serve more as reminders for her performance, Adkins said her hand-written messages help her remember her motivation and perform at her best.

“I feel free in knowing there are no expectations or standards I have to meet other than being me and honoring Him,” Adkins said. “In that comes such a drive and motivation, because how cool is it that you can do that in playing something that you so deeply love.”

Senior cross country and track and field runner Anna Roberts said she began writing on her hand for similar reasons. 

“I started doing it my sophomore year of college as a way to stay focused on Christ and as a reminder to myself that God is the one who has given my body the strength to compete, so he deserves all the recognition and glory,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she typically writes one of two things on her hand: “Run the Race,” an idea from Hebrews 12:1-2, or “For his glory and my good.”

“The inspiration for this comes through a song I heard by City Alight and it also has echoes of Romans 8:28,” Roberts said. “I chose it to remind myself that I was created to bring glory to God and ultimately glorifying him is for my good.”

Several of Roberts’ teammates, including her sisters, Megan Roberts and Caroline Roberts, also write on their hands, and she’s noticed some of her competitors also write themselves notes for motivation. 

“One time, a competitor noticed the writing on my hand and pointed to a Bible verse written on her hand,” Roberts said. “She asked me if I wanted to pray for us before the race. It was a really special moment and something I will never forget.”