2. CURRENT EVENTS
»» At least 3.8 million sports related concussions are estimated to occur each year.
»» Only 50% of people can identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
»» Concussion guidelines and research is constantly being updated.
»» CDC recently released new guidelines and protocol.
State and sport organizations have begun to adopt their own rules and regulations
about concussions:
»» U.S. Soccer has banned heading before the age of 12.
»» Five states have active proposals to establish a minimum age to play in organized
tackle football programs.
»» The NCAA has established return-to-play guidelines that all athletic programs and
student-athletes must abide by.
»» Ivy League Football kickoff rules change has resulted in fewer concussions.
RIDER.EDU/ATHLETICLEADERSHIP
3. RIDER.EDU/ATHLETICLEADERSHIP
LEGISLATION
Legal issues have become more prevalent in recent years, mainly due to:
»» Program/Institution not having a concussion protocol in place
»» Athletes being rushed back to play
New litigation is constantly changing legislation, rules, and protocol. Below are a few
recent cases that are already starting to affect concussion legislation.
»» NFL Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation: NFL Settlement Agreement
»» NCAA Student-Athlete Concussion Injury Litigation: Class Action Progress
»» NHL Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation: Proposed Settlement
4. RIDER.EDU/ATHLETICLEADERSHIP
PROTOCOL
Is your organization or team prepared for the likelihood of a concussion?
»» Have an understanding of the legislation, protocols, and rules regarding concussions
which vary by state, sports, league, and institution.
»» Protect your athletes and your athletic program from litigation.
»» It is your legal responsibility as a coach/administrator to have a concussion protocol
in place.
»» As a coach or administrator, establish a protocol and know your role:
»» Know that you can’t make a decision on return to play protocol
»» Know the signs & symptoms of a concussion
5. RIDER.EDU/ATHLETICLEADERSHIP
CHECKLIST
❑❑Have an adequate number of trained medical personnel to provided practice and
competition supervision.
❑❑Give the medical staff the final and unchallengeable decision on recovery and return-
to-play, free of coaches, parent, or non-medical influences.
❑❑Establish an athletic culture where the health and safety of your student athletes is
paramount.
❑❑Require coaches to attend documented training that will allow them to recognize and
remove a potentially concussed student athlete until evaluated by a medical profes-
sional.
❑❑Have an emergency response play in the event of a concussion or serious injury for
all athletic venues.
❑❑Have an established return-to-play protocol to safely return players to competition.
6. RIDER.EDU/ATHLETICLEADERSHIP
STAY INFORMED
Every day, new information is released regarding concussions, legislation, long term
risks, identification, and recovery.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers free training and infor-
mation to help coaches, parents, and others recognize, respond to, and minimize the
risk of concussion.
»» Visit our references for more information and to stay up to date with the latest on con-
cussions:
»» https://brainlaw.com/youth-tackle-football/
»» https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/21/reader-center/youth-football-head-injuries-cte.html?rref=collection%2Fsection-
collection%2Fsports
»» https://www.athleticbusiness.com/rules-regulations/u-s-soccer-seeks-concussion-prevention-through-rule-changes.
html
»» https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2017-18CProto65_UofMiami_Protocol_20170803.pdf
»» https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2017SSI_ConcussionFactSheet_StudentAthletes_20170721.pdf
»» http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/concussion
»» http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/concussion-safety-protocol-management
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MA IN ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTACT:
ATHLETICLEADERSHIP@RIDER.EDU
