Illinois H.S. post-game brawl

[APG]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

Absolutely correct as to the players.

The controversy over officials standing by for a post-game handshake in Mass. was a lot of hooey perpetrated by officials who, unfortunately, also forget their place and are more interested in emulating their NBE and NCAA heroes, who run off the court after the horn, than in a simple act to promote sportsmanship in games involving kids.

NBA officials don't run off the court after the horn.

So are officials in 49/50 states just emulating their NCAA heroes? Do they not know "their place?" How does watching a bunch of handshakes promoting sportsmanship? If a kid or team is pissed off and wants to do something in the line, it's going to happen whether an official is there or not.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

Absolutely correct as to the players.

The controversy over officials standing by for a post-game handshake in Mass. was a lot of hooey perpetrated by officials who, unfortunately, also forget their place and are more interested in emulating their NBE and NCAA heroes, who run off the court after the horn, than in a simple act to promote sportsmanship in games involving kids.

As an excuse, they tried to say insurance wouldn't cover refs for the handshake, even though by its very terms it covers officials during the entire time they have jurisdiction, which, by rule, ends when they leave the visual confines. From what I hear from guys and gals from Mass with whom I work here in Live Free or Die land, standing and watching two groups of adolescents shake hands after an athletic contest has been spectacularly uneventful in all sports, not just hoops.

A question to which I don't have an answer, is whether this brawl would have happened if the officials were still on the court watching the handshake-- not because the officials would have been called on to stop it, but because their presence may have instilled the idea that the event was not "over" and thereby muted any inclination by players with a little too much AAU under their belts to "get physical."

There are parents and coaches and administrators on the court and/or nearby, but 2-3 people in stripes are the ones that should be there to provide a presence.

Complete and utter hooey. Thankfully, my years living in MA ended about 12 years ago and my number of handshakes watched remains at ZERO.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

East-Jefferson fight: IHSA to suspend 3 Jefferson starters, coach Todd Brannan - Sports - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

The question regarding this fight is simple, at least to me: Do we really need mandated handshake lines after a game? The best thing that can happen is...nothing. This would be the worst.

This was two teams in the same school district. The kids knew each other I am sure. The host school did not appear to have adequete security. There were no police on the site, which is crazy for most events like this. And as stated, Illinois does not require these handshakes or the requires the officials to hang around to watch after the game.

Peace

I have seen a handshake line (including the refs) at almost every soccer game I have ever been to. I wonder what the indices of fights breaking out during a soccer handshake line versus a basketball one.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This was two teams in the same school district. The kids knew each other I am sure. The host school did not appear to have adequate security. There were no police on the site, which is crazy for most events like this. And as stated, Illinois does not require these handshakes or the officials to hang around to watch after the game.

Peace

My mistake. I must have misread the article and got the impression handshakes were mandated in Illinois. I'm glad officials aren't required to stand around and watch.

Regardless, do we really need these post-game handshake lines? I remember living pretty well without them back in the Dark Ages. To your point, Jeff, if they're going to have them security has to get on the floor when the game ends. What is the law enforcement requirement at games? In NYC we can't start - or continue a game once it has started - if a school safety officer isn't in the gym. SSOs are unarmed members of the NYPD.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

My mistake. I must have misread the article and got the impression handshakes were mandated in Illinois. I'm glad officials aren't required to stand around and watch.

Regardless, do we really need these post-game handshake lines? I remember living pretty well without them back in the Dark Ages. To your point, Jeff, if they're going to have them security has to get on the floor when the game ends. What is the law enforcement requirement at games? In NYC we can't start - or continue a game once it has started - if a school safety officer isn't in the gym. SSOs are unarmed members of the NYPD.

It is seen as good sportsmanship, but no where is it required to do. If a team does not do it, it would be founded upon for sure. But nothing can be done to anyone outside of maybe the State Finals.

Also I also know of no security or police presence required. But obviously when you have hundreds or thousands of people, it would be nice to have some police presence. It is up to each school or community to decide how much it matters to them. But I would think two teams in the same community (not where the game was hosted BTW) and rivals on some level, you would be prepared for a rowdy crowd on some level. Most of the time nothing happens, but it is not out of the question if a fight occurs.

Peace