THAT SPORTS-OBSESSED STATE LINE.

It's a Rust Belt casualty that could use an influx of human capital, and I've lamented the sports obsession before.

Sometimes, the Rust Belt quality of life manifests itself on the court.  "Luke Norman, High Community College (HCC) men’s basketball coach, was fired Wednesday night in a 4–2 vote from the school’s Board of Trustees."

What happened?

After securing a nail-biting 70-69 win against Kennedy-King College, members from both teams exchanged hands during the post-game handshake.

Highland President Chris Kuberski shared a letter from Region 4 – the regional athletic body of NJCAA –regarding the fight. The body wrote, “this incident between the two teams is one of the worst, most unacceptable incidents in Region 4 history.”

Norman forfeited Highland’s next two games following the fight. Region 4 recommended another forfeiture, yet the men’s coach disagreed – hoping to appeal and prevent the team’s season-ending without a final home game.

Highland officials accepted a third forfeiture – against Norman’s wishes, which rose to what Kuberski describes as insubordination.

“This is not where we hoped this situation would end,” says Kuberski. Although she couldn’t speak specifically on the coach’s termination, the president notes the firing wasn’t from the brawl.

The article provides no background on those circumstances.  The public comments, however, call attention to the State Line's problem with attracting human capital.

“It’s hard to find coaches already,” shares Anthony Dedmond, the head coach of Freeport High School football. “It’s hard to find good refs and good coaches.”

Before the board’s vote, some warned what message it sends to donors, parents of student-athletes and anyone next in line for the position.

“What’s that going to say looking for the new head coach, when we can’t support one that gave up five years of his life to follow his dream,” asks one supporter of Newman.

The Newman family dynasty have been involved with Highland Community College basketball for some time.  Reflect on that, dear reader: we're not talking about the Bennett family in the power conferences, we're talking about a community college in a sports-obsessed region of a failed state.