The NCAA and the American Football Coaches Association are partnering on a national sportsmanship initiative called “Respect Weekend” that will take place on the opening weekend of the college football season September 3-7.

The NCAA and AFCA are encouraging 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 players 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 will be a part of Respect Weekend.

Teaff said 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 want to restore that,” Teaff said. “We’ve had a couple of instances where there were some hard feelings, and coaches didn’t shake hands after the game. We think it is important for coaches to shake hands after the game win or lose to show true sportsmanship and respect.”

Teaff said the feedback from the athletics directors has been positive.

“They were grateful that the coaches and NCAA were taking the lead in this,” 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.”