On the TunneySide of Sports March 7, 2022 #890 Up next… Who Is In Charge Here?
After further review… As I watched the Big 10 basketball game a couple of weeks ago between the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin played in Madison, Wisconsin the Badgers won the game 77-63. With Wisconsin leading and the game seemingly in hand, Coach Greg Gard, the Wisconsin coach called a time out. As a fan at home, I was not sure why, but maybe he just wanted to insert some of his bench players. This is only a guess on my part. No matter the reason, Gard is entitled to do that. Juwan Howard, the Michigan coach, took it as an insult, saying it’s an unwritten rule – not to be done.
As customary, both teams and coaches line up to shake the hand (some hug) of every member of the opposing team. Coach Howard, angry at the fact that Coach Gard had called that “late” time out did not show up to be in that handshake line, but he was grabbed by the arm by Coach Gard (presumably to shake his hand). Howard taking it as an aggressive move by Gard, turned, pointed his finger at Gard angrily, and slapped Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face.
With both team members in close proximity, all wanted to be a part of that melee – and did. Howard’s team had lost that crucial game and he was seemingly in no mood for that handshake. But Howard had a sportsmanship obligation to do so. In fact, to me, that’s an important aspect of a coaches’ job – his ability to take a defeat (no matter how stringent) in a true sportsmanship way!
With regard to that “lineup to shake the opponents’ hand”, if you watch closely, you perhaps have noticed the faces and demeanor of each player that they are in that “lineup” because they are ‘told to do so.” Looks to me that it is mostly perfunctory! The players on the winning team are happy to be there. The losers not so much. Some collegiate sports do it. Others don’t.
Many comments have been forthcoming, and commentators are jumping in. One comment was that the conference commissioner ought to get involved. He did. However, the real issue is with the coach himself. In hiring coaches, integrity is as important (to me) as his ability to create a winning team!
Will you log in as to whose responsibility it is to set the tone for good sportsmanship?
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