Why We Don't Hang Around For Handshakes ...
 

With apologies to our brother and sister officials in Massachusetts.

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Every time there's a post game fight we have the same type of post.

Really not much to elaborate on in this situation.

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Ugly ...
 

Only one word required: Ugly.

If stuff like this happens in the handshake line, MIAA should reconsider having the officials around, especially if, contrary to the rules, the officials do not have any authority to administer sanctions to any offenders. What is the process to propose changes to MIAA rules?

The Bay State ...
 

Spoke to a few Massachusetts guys at the IAABO Fall Seminar this past year.

Getting rid of the requirement to "hang around" has as much of a chance as a snowball in Hell.

While officials can't administer penalties (technical fouls) during this "handshake" period, they can, and do, report unsporting behavior to the MIAA, which hands down sanctions, often quite severe.

What is MIAA's reasoning? I don't see a valid reason for the officials to stay on the court and be a target for disgruntled participants or fans. I was nearly assaulted after a playoff game in DC this season, so I would shudder to think what would happen if I had to work in MA in a similar situation.

Big Brother Is Watching ...
 

I can only guess. Possibly to have an unbiased, neutral stakeholder on site to encourage (and insure) that only sporting activity occurs immediately after a game, with the ability to report any unsporting activity to the state association.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/s...ident/2980341/

Consistency. All the other sports have a handshake that the officials participate in. They want basketball to be the same.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

That is not the officials' job. Have security around to supervise the handshakes, and let the officials leave the playing surface after playing time expires. That way, they won't be a target for fans wanting to berate them, or worse.

State Association ...
 

Officials are more likely to have the ability to complete reports and send them quickly up the pipeline to the state association. Officials know the process during their jurisdiction, they also know the process after their jurisdiction ends, i.e. argument between officials and coach in locker room after game. Here in Connecticut we have both local and state reports to complete on dedicated internet (password protected) websites, to start such a process.

Do you actually think that security will really care about two kids, in the handshake line, jawing, using loud profanity, at each other for two seconds if it doesn't lead to a fight, or any type of physical altercation? Security might not care, but officials, and the state association, might care.

Your job is what they say it is.


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(The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts (The Bee Gees, 1967) ...
 

It is in Massachusetts.

Wave Instead ...