Attention to participant safety is ongoing in school sports; and once again the emphasis is on head injuries.

 In October 2009, the National Federation Board of Directors adopted a policy that all NF playing rules codes for high school sports would include the following language beginning in the 2010-11 school year:  “Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.”  Absent is who may clear the athlete, how and when. 

 On March 26, the MHSAA Representative Council adopted the following clarifying policies:   

1. The medical personnel clearing an individual having a concussion will be only an MD or DO.
2. A written release from that MD/DO is required before the athlete may return to play/practice for the team.  School personnel are responsible for this compliance.
3. No return to play may occur on the date of the concussion.
4. The contest officials will have no role in determining concussion other than the obvious one where a player is either unconscious or apparently unconscious as is provided for under the current rule.  Officials will merely point out to a coach that a player is injured and advise that the player should be examined by a health care provider for an exact determination of the extent of injury.

These policies and any additional guidance form the national Sports Medicine Advisory Committee will be included in MHSAA publications and sports rules meetings for 2010-11.