MIAA Coaches Required to Take Concussion Education Course

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Wellness Program is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary of promoting the health and safety of student-athletes. The program consists of extensive programming and policies focused on helping student-athletes make healthy life choices.

To further the efforts of the wellness program, the MIAA Board of Directors voted unanimously this month to make it mandatory for all member-school coaches to take an online concussion course starting with the 2010-11 winter season, which begins on Nov. 29.

"This summer the state enacted a Concussion Law directed at MIAA member schools. We now are waiting for the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop resultant regulations," said Bill Haley, Athletic Director at Concord-Carlisle High School and MIAA President. "Meanwhile, we have advised our members to follow the wellness protocols already in place for many years and any other aspects of the new law they can meet until new regulations are established by the DPH."

As part of the current wellness program, MIAA member-school coaches are required to participate in an education course within one year of being hired. The course includes first aid instruction, recognizing signs of head injury, and drug or steroid use among other wellness issues.

In addition, member-schools continue to require physical examinations for student-athletes and submission of a health history from a parent or guardian. The MIAA has long had a rule requiring medical clearance before an athlete who has suffered a head injury can return to play.

"Many of our schools go beyond the Association's requirements and programs," said Haley, "working with physicians, trainers, school nurses, parents and outside consultants to expand awareness of safety issues in different sports."

The online course, which is available on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) website, has already been voluntarily taken by more than 4,700 Massachusetts residents this fall.

"I think the rule is positive," says North Andover High School Athletic Director Jon Longley. "The more awareness education surrounding health related topics is positive. All of our coaches will have completed the online course 'Concussion In Sport What You Need To Know' by Nov. 29, 2010."

Longley points out that all NAHS coaches are cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certified; all new coaches also have to complete a coach's principles course through the NFHS. On top of that, all NAHS student athletes take the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test for concussions.

Have you taken part in the NHFS concussion education online exam? Tell us in the comments section.