> 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