More handshake idiocy

[Scrapper1]

Did my 3rd high school game of the season last night, here in MA. First two games, the handshake was not an issue as nobody seemed to even realize we were supposed to be part of it.

Last night, we get to the game site and site administration did not meet with us before the game about the handshake. Somebody (who I thought was a janitor, due to the keys hanging from his belt) brought us the sign-in sheet. We did the game without incident. But because nobody met us and told us how the handshake would run and who would meet us when we came off the floor, we are excused from participating. So we left at the final horn.

The AD comes to the locker room. "So you guys need to fill out the form for not staying?" I told him that we were excused because of the reasons I stated above. Now he gets hot. "Somebody met you! You signed in, right?" I tried to explain the protocol, and he says we're "ridiculous". We only want to do it "by the book" (which is probably true). And that "common sense overrules the protocol".

And then, of course, he says he's going to block us from coming back for the rest of the year. I said that didn't seem right, considering we followed the rules. He says "I can block anybody for any reason I want! I'm calling MIAA and giving them your names." I said "Fine, as long as you're man enough to tell them WHY we didn't stay."

So now, even though I didn't have to fill out a report for the game itself, I am going to fill out a report on the AD's behavior, just so my side of the story gets to the MIAA.

This is really stupid.

[Bad Zebra]

At least two reports to be filed...sounds like more paperwork...more bureaucracy..more work for some state employee....probably exactly the result they wanted. I agree...sounds really stupid.

[fullor30]

I feel for you, brotha..........

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by fullor30

I feel your brotha..........

OK, that's just gross.

And scrapper, hpw long do you think this idiocy will last? I asked one of our local guys who is part of the WOA executive whatchamacallit, and he said that this topic has never even come up and that it is so ridiculous that it probably never will come up. So are you MA guys all alone in this?

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

OK, that's just gross.

And scrapper, hpw long do you think this idiocy will last? I asked one of our local guys who is part of the WOA executive whatchamacallit, and he said that this topic has never even come up and that it is so ridiculous that it probably never will come up. So are you MA guys all alone in this?

YIKES.............I corrected it.

[Coltdoggs]

So did you shake HIS hand after he told you he was banning you!

[BayStateRef]

Scrapper,

You know the drill, but I am posting this for those outside Massachusetts who do not. You followed the procedure. Period. It is not your job to make the AD do his. If he does not, you walk, call your assignor and let him deal wit the A.D. You are not required to fill out the MIAA paperwork and you should not.

Post-Game Handshake Cancellation- Scenario #3

In cases where the home school does not fulfill the protocol responsibilities, thereby impacting concerns over health and safety of the post-game handshake participants, the game officials may exit the court immediately following the final buzzer. In these situations, the referee will be required to make contact with the game official assignor within 24 hours. Upon receiving a report confirming the reasons for the officials’ decision not to participate, the assignor will communicate these concerns to the building athletic director (first report). Subsequent reports will be directed to the school principal, followed by the MIAA District Committee chairperson.

As an aside...at my board meeting this month, the interpreter noted how the MIAA is so hot to push us to enforce the handshake, but it gives a waiver to schools from the "home team must wear white" rule and refuses to take an active role in requiring a coaching box be marked.

And my own pet peeve: which shot-clock rule do we use? The one posted on the MIAA Web site or the one included in the MIAA Blue Book (which lists all MIAA rules for all sports). Hint: they are not the same.

[bigdogrunnin]

and

Scrapper1:

I feel your pain. It is amazing how stupid people with graduate degrees in education can be.

MTD, Sr.
__________________
Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.
IAABO (Lake Erie District) Board #55
Toledo, Ohio

Gentlemen, I am a school administrator, and I do certainly take offense to both these statements. Don't let a few bad apples dictate your opinion of us all. That is akin to saying that one bad official means we are all horrible. Not true in either case.

I will also add that ANY official that comes to my campus is treated professionally, always. They are provided a safe, clean, and secure area to change and talk. They are provided with drinks (gatorade, water), towels, and showers with hot water. They are also greeted upon entering the facility and escorted onto and off of the floor before, during, and after the game, including an escort to their vehicles upon leaving. No one is allowed to speak with the officials before, during, or after the game. Also officials working at my school don't have to worry about coming to me in regards to fan behavior either, because I am already addressing it. We police the fans to ensure that they are practicing good sportsmanship, no foul-mouthed comments or yelling and screaming at the officials. First time + warning, second time = going home with NO refund. OH, and if we can, we try to have something for the officials to eat or snack on as well.

I will finish by adding that I am a tad disappointed that your comments were even made, and I, personally and professionally, would expect better from fellow officials . . . especially from those on this forum that I have come to admire and respect.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

And scrapper, hpw long do you think this idiocy will last?

Sorry, rocky, I read your post yesterday and forgot to respond. The honest answer is that I don't know. I'm hoping that a couple seasons will go by and everyone will see that it's being done sporadically, at best; and that it's not really accomplishing what they thought it would. They'll blame the officials, of course, but maybe it will be enough that either they'll drop it, or it will just die out.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Sorry, rocky, I read your post yesterday and forgot to respond. The honest answer is that I don't know. I'm hoping that a couple seasons will go by and everyone will see that it's being done sporadically, at best; and that it's not really accomplishing what they thought it would. They'll blame the officials, of course, but maybe it will be enough that either they'll drop it, or it will just die out.

Or perhaps all the kids and parents will get used to having the officials around following the game and learn that they aren't to say anything negative during this time. Maybe the players and coaches will even start to come over and shake hands with the officials. And just maybe this exercise will end up having a positive effect on sportsmanship during HS athletic contests in the state.

For the record, my opinion is that if the MIAA wants this experiment to work, and I have to believe that the goal is to have an environment of greater sportsmanship for the games, then they must correct two serious errors made by the drafters of the policy. Namely, the officials must have penalty jurisdiction during the entire time that they are on the court, including the PGHS, and the officials must be participants and not just observers in the PGHS. Otherwise, the structure still makes them outsiders while everyone else is saying nice things to each other and shaking hands, and the kids, coaches, and parents will continue to see them as such. As long as that is the case, then the entire mission is certain to fail.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Or perhaps all the kids and parents will get used to having the officials around following the game and learn that they aren't to say anything negative during this time. Maybe the players and coaches will even start to come over and shake hands with the officials. And just maybe this exercise will end up having a positive effect on sportsmanship during HS athletic contests in the state.

This is starting to occur. I have had players in every game this year come up to me after the handshake to shake my hand and says "thanks." This has been from both the winners and losers.

Scrapper's original post on this is right on the mark, though. If the AD and school administrators do not do their job, they have no right to expect us to do it alone. So far this year, I have noticed a significant change in attitude among the ADs. Last year, when this was a "recommended" procedure, it was the exception to be greeted by a site manager, who knew the protocol. So far this year, the AD (or someone else) has done their job...before, during and after the games I have worked.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Or perhaps all the kids and parents will get used to having the officials around following the game and learn that they aren't to say anything negative during this time. Maybe the players and coaches will even start to come over and shake hands with the officials. And just maybe this exercise will end up having a positive effect on sportsmanship during HS athletic contests in the state.

And maybe Santa will fill my daughter's stocking tomorrow night.

Honestly, if they want to do foster this, they should start without the officials being there. The officials are the lightning rod after any emotional contest. Get the culture changed without the targets being there. Then, when you feel that the culture really has changed, include the officials.

And frankly, I'd have absolutely NO problem whatsoever with this whole thing if they'd just do it BEFORE the game, instead of after when everyone's emotions are running high. Nobody actually means it after the game, anyway. They're doing it because they have to. But before the game, they really are wishing each other well.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by fullor30

I feel your brotha..........

I strongly discourage this behavior, since he's a lawyer and won't like it.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Did my 3rd high school game of the season last night, here in MA. First two games, the handshake was not an issue as nobody seemed to even realize we were supposed to be part of it.

Last night, we get to the game site and site administration did not meet with us before the game about the handshake. Somebody (who I thought was a janitor, due to the keys hanging from his belt) brought us the sign-in sheet. We did the game without incident. But because nobody met us and told us how the handshake would run and who would meet us when we came off the floor, we are excused from participating. So we left at the final horn.

The AD comes to the locker room. "So you guys need to fill out the form for not staying?" I told him that we were excused because of the reasons I stated above. Now he gets hot. "Somebody met you! You signed in, right?" I tried to explain the protocol, and he says we're "ridiculous". We only want to do it "by the book" (which is probably true). And that "common sense overrules the protocol".

And then, of course, he says he's going to block us from coming back for the rest of the year. I said that didn't seem right, considering we followed the rules. He says "I can block anybody for any reason I want! I'm calling MIAA and giving them your names." I said "Fine, as long as you're man enough to tell them WHY we didn't stay."

So now, even though I didn't have to fill out a report for the game itself, I am going to fill out a report on the AD's behavior, just so my side of the story gets to the MIAA.

This is really stupid.

Scrapper1:

I feel your pain. It is amazing how stupid people with graduate degrees in education can be.

MTD, Sr.

[ma_ref]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

So now, even though I didn't have to fill out a report for the game itself, I am going to fill out a report on the AD's behavior, just so my side of the story gets to the MIAA.

Not sure if it'll make a difference, but you may want to send a copy of your report to the school's principal and/or school district superintendant. Something tells me the AD isn't just a headache for game officials.