I recently read a short article by Matt Giles (NBC Sports) asking a question I have long thought should be reviewed by the NCAA. Are postgame handshake lines outdated? It’s my opinion that they are and there should be consideration to have a pre-game handshake immediately following the national anthem. This would serve as a replacement for the post-game exchange.
Every game coaches and players go to war and when the final buzzer sounds, very few want to shake hands with the opposition. My guess is 90 percent of all college coaches reading this would agree that they dislike shaking hands after the game when they lose. For those inside the game, it’s known as “the fly by” – a very quick handshake by the losing coach without any words being exchanged.
I’ve always found it interesting when veteran coaches that are used to winning want to stop and offer extended words of encouragement to a young coach after a game. This is particularly prevalent in November and December during nonconference “guarantee” games. An example of this is when a Southern Conference team is playing a BCS-league opponent. But, in the instance when the BCS team is upset and loses, those same coaches rarely (if ever) stops to offer the same encouraging “words of wisdom” to the winning coach.
I’m sure fans will ask about the sportsmanship piece, but that’s where the pregame handshake comes into play. By requiring every individual on a team bench (coaches, players, trainers, managers, etc.) to engage in a pregame handshake the true spirit of sportsmanship would be maintained.
A pregame handshake would also avoid the possibility of a possible “flare-up” between players after an emotional game. Players as well as fans are emotional after a loss. This routine may prevent players and fans from saying things to each other or fans from throwing objects on the court. Each season there are incidents where players get into fights and/or fans throw things at the players.
Finally, this pregame exchange would allow the visiting team to get off the floor quickly and avoid any problems in the event that the crowd storms the floor. No doubt, a player is going to get hurt or worse yet, hit someone after a loss when the home team student body rushes the court. Actually, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already (note: after writing this, there was an altercation after the New Mexico State / Utah Valley game on Thursday, February 27).
Think about it. Keep sportsmanship a big part of the game, but keep the emotions in check. Makes sense to me.
