Why Curt Cignetti sees ‘human nature’ as the team’s biggest opponent

It’s a quote almost indistinguishable from one Cignetti would say on stage.

“You never gain weight, that’s the fun of athletics, you’re always fighting human nature,” Cignetti said during the final week of fall camp. “You have a good day, you can’t relax, you have to come back with a better day, because you get better, you get worse, you never stay the same. You have to keep the standards high. You can never lower your standards. What makes this a great game is the advantage, the difference between victory and defeat is always very small.”

Cignetti has preached that message throughout his career. It’s part of the acclaimed blueprint he brought to Bloomington and one of several JMU transfers who have become regulars for the Hoosiers, which they’ve grown accustomed to.

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Those transfers have helped the coaching staff solidify that philosophy, which dates back to when the team began offseason workouts.