Sport Warfare Part 2: Psychological
Anyone who thought psychological warfare tactics were limited to the CIA and KGB needs to think again. Check out this story from the December 10 issue of the New York Times Magazine:
In Cal’s last basketball game of the season, in March, a win vs. USC was necessary for a tourney bid. To neutralize USC star Gabe Pruitt, Cal rally committee members created a fictional Cal co-ed, “Victoria”, and began IMing Pruitt a week before the game. After a period of online flirting, Pruitt agreed to meet “Victoria”, who never really existed, after the game. Upon Pruitt’s first trip to the free-throw line in the game, Cal fans chanted “Victoria” over and over. Pruitt missed the free throws and went on to have his worst game of the season. Clearly, the Cal tactic worked. By getting Pruitt’s head out of the game, he was completely neutralized and Cal won by 11.
From NYT Magazine, 12/10/2006. N.C.A.A. Psyop by Joel Lovell, p. 62.
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