Schools

District 308 OKs Concussion Guidelines for Athletes

Earlier this year, the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors approved new guidelines for student athletes returning from concussions.

officials have approved the new guidelines for student athletes returning from concussions and are considering taking the law a step further.

Earlier this year, the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors approved a policy that states “athletes cannot return to play or practice until they are evaluated by and receive written clearance from a licensed health care provider.”

District 308 School Board members approved the policy last week, saying they would like to broaden it to include every school in the district, not just the high schools.

Steve McInerney, athletic director at and member of a group that was instrumental in getting the legislation passed in the state, lauded the proposal to include all of the schools.

“I think that would be a great thing to do,” he said. “The key is raising the level of education and awareness and that’s what we want to do. To know we might help one kid with this legislation is huge. It will have a profound impact on the wellness of student athletes.”

The IHSA's concussion-related guidelines comes as a result of extensive work by the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

“This is an important policy for the health and safety of high school student-athletes in Illinois,” said IHSA Associate Executive Director and Sports Medicine Chair Kurt Gibson. “The current concussion policy language only indicates what must be done for a student-athlete to return to a contest after being removed for a concussion or suspected concussion on the day of the contest. The new policy clarifies the action that must be taken for a student-athlete to return to play in the days, weeks or months that follow after they are diagnosed to have suffered a concussion.”

Officials at OHS and have already implemented protocols in recent years with regard to concussions.

Parents and students sign off on concussion injury signs and symptoms form. Athletic trainers utilize ImPACT, or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, as an objective tool to assist in allowing an athlete to return to play in the event they may suffer a concussion or head injury. Coaches complete National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion Awareness Course.

McInerney said the goal of the of the IHSA policy is “to change the win at all costs mentality.”

“We want to make sure we’re managing these injuries effectively and (athletes) return to play safely,” he said.

The issue of implementing the concussion policy at the lower grade levels will be discussed at a future policy meeting.


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