I understand this is getting national play in the media. I assume it is negative. Something else to make Kentucky look good.

Maybe Mr. Hoover and Thayer should worry about the real issues concerning our state and not so much about Kentucky high school sports. I am sure none of the people they represent voted for them so they could voice their opinions on this type of issue. I for one believe in sportsmanship and would hope the adults in a game could handle the hand shake, but if the game was heated and their was a concern, I see nothing wrong with looking across the field waving and going on to avoid the penalties and such that would follow in event of an altercation might happen. Like someone said above, there is mutual respect among coaches and players in the college and pro's and they only shake hands if they want to. I think this all was started to avoid legalities on who is responsible: officials, coaches, game managers, school administrators. This way the heat is off of the officials and the KHSAA if something occurs. Now I do disagree with the fact that the KHSAA can fine a school when they have taken it out of their hands. Of course just my opinion and I hope that every opponent we play wants to shake hands with us, I enjoy that part of the game win or lose.

I think Tackett has been awesome, but he mishandled this one. Instead of a statement that sounds like they don't want teams to shake hands, he should have issued a statement that made it clear that officials should leave the field/court immediately and any misconduct in handshake lines will be severely penalized. That accomplishes the directive's goal, protects officials and makes it look like the KHSAA is demanding good sportsmanship, not discouraging it.

 

 

Really? Give an example of something positive he has done.

 

 

We have foreign pipelines for basketball, schools with 8-12 new players year after year in basketball, a watered down football playoffs, and getting ready to have a horrible basketball re-alignment.

Our principal just sent out an e-mail saying we are not to shake hands with ANYONE.......

Really? Give an example of something positive he has done.

 

 

We have foreign pipelines for basketball, schools with 8-12 new players year after year in basketball, a watered down football playoffs, and getting ready to have a horrible basketball re-alignment.

 

Let's see.

 

1 - Coaches requirements trumps any of the things above. High school's couldn't staff enough people due to this requirement and he got it lifted, upon approval. There aren't a ton of people that want to coach small sports at a lot of schools, which caused some student-athletes the chance to participate.

 

2 - 6 classes of football is 100% on the coaches. However, some would argue that 6 classes has positively impacted participation, which is what it's about.

 

3 - Shouldn't HS sports be more about allowing kids to play instead of figuring out ways from keeping them playing?

 

4 - Allowing HS coaches access to players in the off-season to work on skills instead of limiting the HS coaches so kids spend more time with club sports. This negatively impacted sports like soccer and volleyball throughout the state.

 

Those are just a few off the top of my head. All good changes and all spearheaded by Mr Tackett.

I am not surprised at this. The handling and communication is a disaster and Kentucky is now in the (negative) national spotlight. Its a state-wide embarrassment unfortunately.

 

I am not saying there is no issue warranting some sort of action or policy update. But the communications and public relations handling of this has been a flop at best.

First of all, get the officials off the field ASAP. That is goal one no matter what. We all know how crazy people get these days. Basketball referees have been getting off the court immediately for quite a while. All other officials should be doing the same.

 

If legal concerns prevent an endorsement, then they can't endorse it and they should make it clear that is the reason why they can't endorse it. If there are no legal concerns, then endorse it and penalize misbehavior. There is no both ways. Know what your position is and state it clearly.

 

Bottom line for me on this one is the statement issued by the KHSAA was unclear and created a firestorm that could have been prevented if handled properly.

 

Bingo.

Our principal just sent out an e-mail saying we are not to shake hands with ANYONE.......

 

Sounds like your school system needs to take a hard look at your Principal.

Why should they shake hands? Sportsmanship. College and Pro's don't shake hands after contests unless they want to..

 

Don't they? Every college basketball game I've ever been to ends with players and coaches going through a handshake line. Every football game ends with the coaches and players coming together.

 

Politicians are involved (and I'm neither agreeing with it or not) because this is a State Institution.

 

This knee-jerk policy is back-firing to Ruthian proportions...not a shock.

 

Some folks I have a TON of respect for (Leatherneck, Clyde, etc.) love the policy, and not having the time nor the energy to dig my heels in, that is why I avoided that thread yesterday.

Let's see.

 

1 - Coaches requirements trumps any of the things above. High school's couldn't staff enough people due to this requirement and he got it lifted, upon approval. There aren't a ton of people that want to coach small sports at a lot of schools, which caused some student-athletes the chance to participate.

 

2 - 6 classes of football is 100% on the coaches. However, some would argue that 6 classes has positively impacted participation, which is what it's about.

 

3 - Shouldn't HS sports be more about allowing kids to play instead of figuring out ways from keeping them playing?

 

4 - Allowing HS coaches access to players in the off-season to work on skills instead of limiting the HS coaches so kids spend more time with club sports. This negatively impacted sports like soccer and volleyball throughout the state.

 

Those are just a few off the top of my head. All good changes and all spearheaded by Mr Tackett.

 

 

1 was coming no matter who the commissioner was, and yes, it is about letting kids play. Kids that their parents live in the state that they are playing.

1 was coming no matter who the commissioner was, and yes, it is about letting kids play. Kids that their parents live in the state that they are playing.

 

1 didn't come for 30+ years with multiple commissioner's. What makes you think it was coming with just anyone?

 

Heck, past commissioners couldn't get it past the State BOE.

Who would replace Julian Tackett?

 

Guru.

Guru.

 

No chance.

 

And I have talked personally to the Commish on this issue, we are on the same page.

No chance.

 

And I have talked personally to the Commish on this issue, we are on the same page.

 

Just to clarify, you've talked personally to the Commissioner on the topic of the handshake policy, or you've talked personally to the Commissioner about your future plans and not being interested in being the Commissioner? Or both?

Just to clarify, you've talked personally to the Commissioner on the topic of the handshake policy, or you've talked personally to the Commissioner about your future plans and not being interested in being the Commissioner? Or both?

 

Just the handshake policy. :lol: