Beech Tree News Network

A recent directive issued earlier this week by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) has sent a firestorm across the state regarding handshakes after athletic contests.  An ESPN Twitter feed tweeted about it on Wednesday and multiple media outlets reported on the issue.  

The initial directive issued on Tuesday was interpreted by some to suggest that teams were no longer allowed to shake hands after contests due to incidents in Kentucky and across the country.  As controversy ensued, KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett made a clarifying statement on Tuesday afternoon and issued a full clarification to the directive on Wednesday.  

The controversy arose after the initial directive appeared incomplete, awkwardly worded, and was not presented in full context, causing many to believe a ban on handshakes had been implemented.  

Commissioner Tackett explained this issue on a KHSAA blog post on the Association's website:  

"This message has been composed entirely by the Commissioner of the KHSAA. I do not want any room for misinterpretation or anyone else being accused of being involved. As the Commissioner, I take very seriously my role to ensure clear, concise and accurate communication regarding the expectations for our membership," wrote participants, coaches, officials and all involved," wrote Tackett.  "However, yesterday (10/8), at best a poorly worded and at worst, an incomplete, notice was sent from me to the member schools regarding post-game activity. Regardless of the number of people who had written pieces or segments, discussed the situation in meetings, or otherwise reviewed, it was my responsibility to ensure clarity.  In haste to get the information out, the normal expected quality control steps were not executed to ensure such clarity. For that, I apologize to our member schools. The complete (and hopefully clarified) notice is at http://khsaa.org/10082013-commissioners-directive-on-postgame-activity/"

Below are portions of KHSAA guidelines and the directive that was issued: 

Several sports have “traditions” regarding post-game handshakes, etc. by team members (both en masse and as individuals), but none of them have such action dictated by playing rules. While it is an obvious sign of sportsmanship and civility, many incidents have occurred both in Kentucky (more than two dozen in the last three years in Kentucky alone) and throughout the country, where fights and physical conflicts have broken out during these post-game handshakes. And this is not restricted to specific sports. In our state alone, incidents in soccer, football and volleyball have occurred this fall.

Unfortunately, the adrenaline and effort required to participate in the sport sometimes seems to deplete the supply of judgement available to participants. And this can be particularly problematic when there is a lack of an appropriate level of adult supervision, or counterproductive actions by the adults involved with the team. After consultation with the Board of Control at its last meeting, the Commissioner is issuing the following directives to officials and recommendations to the schools and officials regarding post game in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling:

 - Following the contests, officials are to quickly and efficiently leave the playing facility following all rules mandated duties and ensure that the rules book mandated jurisdiction ends promptly. There is no need for officials to secure the game balls, shake hands with the coaches or players, or stick around the playing area for any other reason. 

 - Officials have no role in what goes on in post-game, including handshakes, etc. after jurisdiction has ended. Officials also have NO role in administering this policy. Officials choosing to involve themselves in post game activities will be penalized appropriately;

 - Game management and the administration of the participating team(s) are solely responsible for what happens after the contest is concluded.

 - Certain interaction is required by the NFHS playing rules (i.e. the awarding of a bout winner in wrestling). Other post game rituals such as handshakes, etc. must be closely monitored by school officials and are not a part of the game regulated by game officials.  However, any unsportsmanlike conduct occurring during this time will subject the coach/player to penalties and discipline; and

 - The coaches and administration of the teams are always responsible for the individual conduct of the members of the team following the contest and shall be held accountable for such.

Commissioner Tackett stated emphatically, "there is no ban or prohibition on post-game handshakes ... has not been considered, contemplated, or reviewed as an option." 

The commissioner continued with the following statement:  

“It is regrettable that a few key individuals apparently have chosen to read small participles of the note above, versus the entirety of the directive and reminder, so I feel the necessity to add specific comments. And admittedly, two totally related paragraphs were not immediately adjacent and that may have caused some people to stop reading at one point, and then not follow through with the rest of the post.  

Nothing about this situation is etched in stone as far as post-game procedures. As the document states, the schools continue to have the option to have post-game handshakes as always, provided they are properly supervised. That was the first part of two main intentions. The first, was to reinforce the requirement for supervision. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, all involved in contests seem to be more aggressive immediately after the contests are concluded and winning with honor and dignity (and losing the same way) doesn’t seem to be being instilled across the board. Sometimes, these attitudes and lack of supervision have resulted in fights/altercations/incidents during post-game periods. In Kentucky alone, this has happened more than two dozen times in the last three years. So the directive to the member schools is simple. Don’t do it, UNLESS you can properly supervise it. And if you don’t supervise it (or if you do and problems occur) then you will be held accountable. 

Secondly, and just as critical, don’t expect the officials to police this time period. That has NEVER been the officials’ job at the high school level, and shouldn’t be now. 

It’s really that simple. Sportsmanship and civility remain hallmark values. It is my hope that all schools can provide the proper supervision and accountability to continue these types of activities. But if they can’t, then stop doing them.”

The KHSAA is the legal governing body of high school athletics in the state of Kentucky.