Txbroadcaster
10-09-2013, 06:50 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/24051593/kentucky-high-schools-put-an-end-to-postgame-handshakesThe Kentucky High School Athletic Association issued a strange, seemingly counter-productive directive Tuesday: No more postgame handshakes.
Citing more than 20 fights and other altercations over the past three years, the KHSAA has banned handshakes after games and meets in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling.
“It is disappointing that this action has become necessary, but enough incidents have occurred both in our state and in others that the necessity has arrived,” the KHSAA said in a statement.
There is a bit of a loophole, though it requires everyone acting appropriately after games. If teams decide to shake hands and there are no altercations, no action will be taken.
If there is an altercation, however, the schools' athletic departments will be penalized.
Beyond that, any officials involved in "postgame activities" will be penalized.
So there you have it, kids: Play hard, play fair, and don't dignify your opponents with respect after competing.
According to the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal, Several schools are meeting Thursday to try to find a resolution that would both honor the mandate and allow for postgame handshakes.
“People are going to think we're being bad sports if we don't shake hands,” a Louisville high school's athletic director told the paper. “Hopefully we can come up with something.”
Citing more than 20 fights and other altercations over the past three years, the KHSAA has banned handshakes after games and meets in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling.
“It is disappointing that this action has become necessary, but enough incidents have occurred both in our state and in others that the necessity has arrived,” the KHSAA said in a statement.
There is a bit of a loophole, though it requires everyone acting appropriately after games. If teams decide to shake hands and there are no altercations, no action will be taken.
If there is an altercation, however, the schools' athletic departments will be penalized.
Beyond that, any officials involved in "postgame activities" will be penalized.
So there you have it, kids: Play hard, play fair, and don't dignify your opponents with respect after competing.
According to the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal, Several schools are meeting Thursday to try to find a resolution that would both honor the mandate and allow for postgame handshakes.
“People are going to think we're being bad sports if we don't shake hands,” a Louisville high school's athletic director told the paper. “Hopefully we can come up with something.”