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Ed Yandall Athetic Director (858) 457-3040 x243 From the School’s Athletic Director- Athletic Injuries (Football)
There are inherent dangers in all sports, but none more so than in the game of football, more aptly described as a ‘collision sport’. The high school player who passed this week in Beaumont, Texas, had a history of seizures. His collapse on the field was not as a result of contact. Final autopsy results are pending, but the fact that he was a high school player only heightens the media approach to covering the story.
Our state CIF has mandated Bylaw 313, which specifically states “ that any athlete who incurs a concussion or head injury in practice or a game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and RECEIVES WRITTEN CLEARANCE to return to play from that health care provider.”
Be aware that UCHS Football has a trainer, Tomoku Ohkubo-Kuo, assigned to all of our Varsity games, home and away. At the lower levels (JV/Frosh), our trainer covers all of our home games for these teams. The away games are covered by the home site administration. In addition to the trainer at the JV/Frosh home games, we have an ambulance on site to transport any student with injuries that may require hospital evaluation at the nearest emergency facility, i.e. Scripps Hospital on Genesee Ave and I-5.
Injury assessment is handled by our trainer, Tomoku Ohkubo-Kuo, a certified athletic trainer with the National Trainers Association. She is the ultimate judge on any injury that happens to a player before, during or after a game. A coach may inquire as to the severity of the injury but does not make the final decision on whether an athlete may play or continue in the game. Any injuries that pertain to head trauma, will be evaluated by Ms. Ohkubo-Kuo as the primary evaluator. After examining the player, she will determine its severity and decide whether to allow the player to continue. Her training has taught her to err on the side of caution, so the player or coach may insist on his re-insertion to the game because ‘the player feels fine’. This will not happen. Any coach, regardless of level, will be subject to dismissal if he badgers the trainer to allow the player to re-enter the game. Furthermore, subsequent protocol per Bylaw 313 will be adhered to strictly. Specifically that said, “ student- athlete will remain out of the contest for that day and will not be allowed back on the field for practice or a game until there is written clearance for him from the evaluating licensed care provider.”
Ed Yandall, AD
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