UMass-Boston Coach Richard Hart, representing the MIAA made
the call, to be fair Mike Connelly held his finger up for the last
30 yards. The Taunting rule according to MIAA "taunting includes any
actions or comments by coaches,
players or spectators, which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass,
ridicule, or demean others, whether or not the deeds or the words
are vulgar or racist. " "Included is conduct that berates, needles,
intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin or
background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size economic
status, speech, family, special needs or personal matters".
"Examples of taunting include but are not limited to "trash
talk," defined as verbal communication of a personal nature directed by
a
competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his or her skills... and physical
intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including "in your
face" confrontation."