Wisconsin athletic directors just learned about a new program to help high school student athletes who suffered concussions during a school team sport event.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) recently purchased an insurance policy for all its student athletes, which offered families secondary insurance coverage of up to $25,000.
"I think its important that we're doing everything possible to make sure our kids are safe, to make sure our athletes are safe, to make sure our schools are safe,” said Ashwaubenon High School Activities Director, Nick Senger. “A core curriculum program like this will help parents and kids decide to do the right thing and make sure that they report if they feel like they've had a concussion."
NBC26 reached out to Ashwaubenon High School to learn how local high school leaders feel about the policy and how it would be implemented. Senger said they do not have many concussions at Ashwaubenon High School, but their number one priority is safety and they always look at ways to minimize risks.
"We try to make sure that we have good equipment for our kids and educate our parents and our athletes and our coaches,” said Senger.
He said he plans to share new information with parents, coaches, and students. That information will be shared at freshman orientation meetings, coaches meetings, and co-curricular meetings, which cover the requirements to participate in team sports. Senger said it will also be a part of their co-curricular handbook that parents and students receive and sign.
“Hey if you think you had a concussion or if you think you got your bell rung, you need to tell a trainer or the coach and we're going to do everything possible to make sure that you're safe before we put you back out there," said Senger.
The Headstrong Concussion Insurance Program costs the WIAA $1.50 per student and will be available to student athletes in junior high and high school WIAA sanctioned sports. The policy starts August 1st 2017 and will continue until August 1st 2018.
