Attention to athlete safety is increasing in the wake of the high-profile deaths of athletes in Kansas and beyond.
The attention extends from the field where coaches take precautions to ensure athletes are hydrated and doctors orders are followed to the Kansas Legislature where lawmakers this year have debated a bill that aims to provide additional protections to athletes.
Male and female athletes are being pushed to their limits, Bart Grelinger this year told a House committee considering legislation related to high school athletes.
“With this push to make our athletes stronger, faster and more aggressive, higher rates of collisions and concussions will certainly follow,” said Grelinger, a physician speaking for the Medical Society of Sedgwick County.
One of the most recent student athlete deaths occurred March 3 when Wes Leonard, a junior at Fennville High School in Michigan, collapsed after making the game-winning shot during a basketball game. The death of Leonard, who died of an undiagnosed heart condition, hit close to home. Leonard previously went to school in Baldwin and had friends in Lawrence.
“I found out about Wes’ death during fourth hour,” sophomore Daniel Vineyard said. “My mom pulled me out of class to tell me what had happened, and I just went to the gym so I could clear my mind. I was very sad.”
Earlier this school year, Spring Hill High School senior Nathan Stiles died from a football injury. The star running back, linebacker and homecoming king suffered a traumatic head injury during a football game Oct. 28. Stiles reportedly intercepted a pass, walked to the sideline and collapsed shortly after the play. He died the next morning.
With the spotlight on athlete safety, lawmakers this year debated legislation that aimed to improve safety. The bill, currently Senate Bill 33, hasn’t yet been approved. If it was, it would add steps before athletes who had suffered head injuries could return to competition, including requiring a physician to sign off on the athlete’s return.
“If the bill is passed, then a head injury information release form would have to be signed by the athlete and parents and returned to the school before they could participate in any competition or practice,” said Sen. Vicki Schmidt, a Topeka Republican who chairs the committee that debated the bill.
Advocates of the legislation said Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) guidelines are a good start but don’t go far enough.
“Ultimately our number one goal is to keep our athletes safe so they can go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives,” Grelinger said in testimony to state lawmakers.
Others are more cautious about putting additional, potentially costly, requirements in place.
“One mandatory physical is enough,” said Gary Musselman, KSHSAA executive director. “It’s not always easy for families to get to a doctor, depending on where they live, and some families can’t afford it.”
LHS Athletic Director Ron Commons agreed that increasing requirements could cost families.
”It would probably be nice,” Commons said, “but it will cost the majority of students more money than the Kansas sports association intends.”
Meanwhile, many coaches are changing the way they push and pressure their athletes. That includes taking more safety precautions, encouraging students to get more frequent check ups, and prompting students to let coaches know if they have been injured or don’t feel good.
“We’re always cognizant of the hydration levels of our athletes, and we follow doctors orders specifically when athletes get physicals and visit doctors during the season,” said Jason Lichte, an assistant football coach.
Attention to athlete safety is increasing in the wake of the high-profile deaths of athletes in Kansas and beyond.
The attention extends from the field where coaches take precautions to ensure athletes are hydrated and doctors orders are followed to the Kansas Legislature where lawmakers this year have debated a bill that aims to provide additional protections to athletes.
Male and female athletes are being pushed to their limits, Bart Grelinger this year told a House committee considering legislation related to high school athletes.
“With this push to make our athletes stronger, faster and more aggressive, higher rates of collisions and concussions will certainly follow,” said Grelinger, a physician speaking for the Medical Society of Sedgwick County.
One of the most recent student athlete deaths occurred March 3 when Wes Leonard, a junior at Fennville High School in Michigan, collapsed after making the game-winning shot during a basketball game. The death of Leonard, who died of an undiagnosed heart condition, hit close to home. Leonard previously went to school in Baldwin and had friends in Lawrence.
“I found out about Wes’ death during fourth hour,” sophomore Daniel Vineyard said. “My mom pulled me out of class to tell me what had happened, and I just went to the gym so I could clear my mind. I was very sad.”
Earlier this school year, Spring Hill High School senior Nathan Stiles died from a football injury. The star running back, linebacker and homecoming king suffered a traumatic head injury during a football game Oct. 28. Stiles reportedly intercepted a pass, walked to the sideline and collapsed shortly after the play. He died the next morning.
With the spotlight on athlete safety, lawmakers this year debated legislation that aimed to improve safety. The bill, currently Senate Bill 33, hasn’t yet been approved. If it was, it would add steps before athletes who had suffered head injuries could return to competition, including requiring a physician to sign off on the athlete’s return.
“If the bill is passed, then a head injury information release form would have to be signed by the athlete and parents and returned to the school before they could participate in any competition or practice,” said Sen. Vicki Schmidt, a Topeka Republican who chairs the committee that debated the bill.
Advocates of the legislation said Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) guidelines are a good start but don’t go far enough.
“Ultimately our number one goal is to keep our athletes safe so they can go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives,” Grelinger said in testimony to state lawmakers.
Others are more cautious about putting additional, potentially costly, requirements in place.
“One mandatory physical is enough,” said Gary Musselman, KSHSAA executive director. “It’s not always easy for families to get to a doctor, depending on where they live, and some families can’t afford it.”
LHS Athletic Director Ron Commons agreed that increasing requirements could cost families.
”It would probably be nice,” Commons said, “but it will cost the majority of students more money than the Kansas sports association intends.”
Meanwhile, many coaches are changing the way they push and pressure their athletes. That includes taking more safety precautions, encouraging students to get more frequent check ups, and prompting students to let coaches know if they have been injured or don’t feel good.
“We’re always cognizant of the hydration levels of our athletes, and we follow doctors orders specifically when athletes get physicals and visit doctors during the season,” said Jason Lichte, an assistant football coach.
