High School Football: New Concussion Law
Ashwaubenon-- High school football is back! This year marks the first season that players, parents and coaches have to follow a new state concussion law.
"Wisconsin Act 172" deals with concussion education and treatment. 30 other states have passed similar laws. All parties must sign a form saying they understand the "ins and outs" of head injuries, before they are even allowed to practice, let alone, play on Friday nights.
One stipulation of the law, is an athlete showing symptoms of a head injury must be cleared by a licensed medical professional before going back in the game. "I am looking for the big hit. I am looking for the player that's not responding they way they should be, " says Roland Schmidt, a licensed athletic trainer. He's been wok ring high school games for more than a decade.
"If they are reporting any symptoms of a concussion, we'll hold them out of that game," Schmidt adds. Athletic Director Dave Steavpack says the attention to head injuries is well received at Ashwaubenon High. "The bottom line is the safety of kids. What's happened in the NFL has trickled down to the NCAA, has trickled down to the high school athletics, has trickled down to the youth activities," Steavpack said. And like in practice, there's repetition in the new law. "So, if your son or daughter is a three-sport-athlete, then you have to sign that three times during their high school season. The law affects all athletes, at all levels, from high school, on down.
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