INDIANAPOLIS---The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the NCAA are partnering on a national sportsmanship initiative called “RESPECT Weekend,” which is set to begin with the Sept. 3-7 weekend of the college football season.

The AFCA and NCAA are encouraging all college football teams to meet at midfield before the kickoff of each game for a pregame handshake. The two head coaches and the two directors of athletics (or a representative of the athletics department) are to lead the sportsmanship gesture.

“This is a symbolic initiative that says to the football world, our fans, our students, our student-athletes and athletics departments that sportsmanship is a vital part of the successful football programs we have in this country,” said AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. “We wanted to show sportsmanship in a clear way.”

Television viewers and those attending the games will see signs in stadiums promoting the theme. Video public service announcements, public address scripts and merchandise giveaways also are part of RESPECT Weekend.

The AFCA code of conduct already calls for coaches to shake hands before and after each game. This initiative is being conducted to help reinforce that philosophy.

“We think it is important for coaches to shake hands after the game win or lose to show true sportsmanship and respect,” Teaff said. “This is a great game that is at its pinnacle. We want to make sure we’re teaching the right thing to our student-athletes, the student bodies and the youngsters out there watching the game.”

All NCAA institutions have been encouraged to participate, but the campaign is not mandatory.

The initiative stems from a two-year NCAA research study  of student-athletes, coaches, conference commissioners, administrators and fans that indicated fan behavior was the most pressing matter to be addressed at college sporting events.

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