This kind of proves that states can do whatever the he!! they want to when it comes to mechanics or rules procedures. ;)

Peace

Mark,

The judge did not make that statement. As posted, it is the MIAA rule that gives the official this "authority." (Also...the judge is a she, not a he.)

Without getting too legal, the judge did not rule on the full merits of the case. Rather, she was asked to issue an injunction forbidding the handshake rule from taking effect when the season starts today. The legal standard for an injunction is much higher, requiring the officials to show that waiting for a full trial will cause "irreparable harm." As the judge said in her ruling, the officials failed to "demonstrate the required level of imminent, non speculative, substantial and irreparable harm to their physical, reputation, or financial interest."

As a varsity official, this affects me directly. I am comfortable there are enough "out" clauses that if I do not feel it is safe or if the school administration does not do its job, then I will not stay. I know there have been incidents and I am not trying to minimize them. But for me...and for many officials with whom I have spoken...this is not a big deal.

Season starts tonight. I'm sure most crews for tonight's games will stick around for the PGHS, due to the ruling last night. However, what will be more interesting is what happens when both officials don't stick around, or even more interesting, when 1 official refuses to stay and the other official wants to...

1 thing I didn't understand about the ruling was a quote from the MIAA's lawyer, who said that officials who don't stick around for the PGHS would be suspended. Suspended by who? MIAA doesn't have that kind of jurisdiction over officials, except by refusing them post-season tournament assignments. Local boards don't have that power either, as my board came right out and told us we're independent contractors and they can't suspend us for that reason.

The poo-poo is about to hit the fan. Strap yourself in folks, and get ready, cuz the already-bumpy ride is about to get bumpier!

It sounds to me that there's boatloads of ego driving people to take inadvisable choices for the sake of ends of which they've lost sight.

Need A mbyron To English Translator ...
 

God, this sounds really good. I don't fully understand it, but it sounds really good. Thanks for making the Forum more classy.

Just Wisconsin. And I disagree with MTD, Sr. I think it's a fine rule that prevents any pregame nonsense. If the starters want to shake hands, they're free to do so before the opening jump. The way we do it, we have the anthem, introduce 5 V starters, introduce 5 H starters, let's go.

Joke
 

The Postgame Handshake is a JOKE!

Here's a local columnist's view on the issue. His email address is listed at the bottom of the article.

Officials Make the Wrong Call

Let me guess. The columnist never consulted the rule book.:(