> Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1991 22:34:00 CST
> From: "mr.knowitall" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Handshakes?!?!?!?!?    Who cares?!?!?!?
> To: Multiple recipients of list HOCKEY-L <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Geez!  That is all I need information about handshakes on my account!
> I have little space the way it is!  Why not just ask if the kiss their
> wife before the leave their house?  Or if their dog pees on the tree or
> on the bush?  I personally do not care if the shake hands afterward or not?
>
> Does it affect the game whatsoever?  NO! Unless you figure that the next time
> they meet the might go easier on them if the coach shook hands!  I doubt it!
 
I beg to disagree.  I think shaking hands after a game is a display of
sportsmanship.  It says a lot to me about the personality of the coach.
It also says to me that a coach who displays good sportsmanship will never
encourage poor sportsmanship among his players.  Consider the following
situation:
        You as a coach observe one of your players deliberately spear an
        opponent.  This offense goes unnoticed by the officials.  What do
        you as a coach do?
I've seen this happen twice. One coach benched the player for the rest of the
game.  The other patted him on the head as if to say, "good job".  I KNOW
which coach shook hands after the game and which coach didn't.  I also know
which coach has my respect and which coach doesn't.  I also know whether
there's a corrolation between the two.
 
I've had the privilege of being around for sessions between opposing coaches
before the second game of a weekend series.  My personal belief is that by and
large the coaches are professionals with a job to do, and the "fierce
rivalries" may well be motivated in part to stir up player emotion to get the
best out of a player.  I often perceive the coaching staff as taking a view
that is far more dispassionate than the fan.
 
> -Kevin Ames
>  KA9371A@DRAKE
>
>        "Go Minnesota Gophers!"
 
charlie shub  [log in to unmask]  -or-  cdash@colospgs (BITNET)
  or even         (719) 593-3492