The IHSAA ruling came down on Tuesday regarding the brawl between Hammond and Griffith. Both teams have had their seasons canceled due to the fight. The game between Hammond and Griffith which the brawl occurred has been ruled a double forfeit. Here is more on the ruling.

It is a harsh sentence for both teams, but it is not unprecedented. Here is a video of the fight. Punishment certainly needed to send a message that this behavior was unacceptable on both sides. Along with the suspension of the remainder of the season for both teams, the teams are ineligible for the postseason. Hammond and Griffith are also placed on probation for one year. Here is the full statement from the IHSAA. 

Like others I was shocked by the fight, but I did not see the cancelation of the season coming for both teams. I was at the fight between Lawrence North and North Central in the 2011 sectional. The LN/NC fight did not last as long and there was less involvement of spectators and bench players but punches were thrown multiple times. North Central star D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera was caught on video throwing a punch. The IHSAA only gave him a game suspension.

I expected the coaches to be suspended for not controlling their players. Then I assumed players that were involved in the fight would be suspended between two and five games depending on involvement in the brawl. The IHSAA decided to enforce a tougher penalty. Hopefully all involved learn from the mistakes made and realize how much worse this could have been.