Police Investigating Coach's Handling of Concussions

The football program at Peters Township (Pa.) High School is under investigation after the Washington County Children and Youth Services Department received a complaint Wednesday alleging that a "perpetrator is permitting children to play sports with concussions or concussion-like symptoms."

"I don't know if this will rise to our level or not," police chief Harry Fruecht told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, referring to possible criminal charges. "But we at least have to take a look at it."

Taking a look at it has included requesting documents from superintendent Nina Zetty related to a recent district investigation into accusations from parents and staff that first-year high school head football coach Rich Piccinini was interfering with the job of athletic trainers as they treated injured players, including those with brain injuries.

Physical therapist Mark Mortland, who oversees the football team's training staff, has had a contract with the school district since 2003 and has worked with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins for 16 years - helping treat superstar Sidney Crosby, who was sidelined for nearly a year because of concussion symptoms. Mortland sent e-mails to Zetty beginning Nov. 30, stating that he "personally witnessed ... the most deplorable, disrespectful and disgraceful behavior from a head coach in any sport I have ever seen."

"I have been providing athletic training services to high schools, college and professional sporting teams for 25 years and have never seen anything like this year's head football coach," he continued in the e-mail, which circulated to football parents and was obtained by local media outlets.

In November, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation establishing standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries in student-athletes that requires them to be evaluated and cleared for play in writing by an appropriate health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other brain injuries. A physical therapist designated by a physician also is included as part of the health care team that makes this determination. Any coach found in violation of the removal-from-play and return-to-play policies will be suspended from coaching for the rest of the season, according to the new law. If any coach is caught violating the policy three times, he or she will be banned from coaching any youth sporting activity permanently.

Additionally, last month, members of 65 sports and health organizations met at the third annual Youth Sports Safety Summit to review a new position statement issued by the National Athletic Trainers' Association titled "Preventing Sudden Death in Sports." To be published in the February issue of the Journal of Athletic Training, the statement outlines 10 major health conditions and causes of sudden death among athletes, while also providing updated recommendations to ensure better prevention and treatment of sports injuries. Among those recommendations is a five-step return-to-play progression following a concussion, allowing the clinician to determine any signs of deterioration that would prevent a premature return to activity.

Piccinini has denied any wrongdoing, stating to local media outlets that "I just coach football." But some parents aren't convinced. Michele Bittel, the mother of one of Piccinini's players, says she doesn't think Mortland would make negative claims about the coach without proof. "I have a lot of respect for Mark and feel he is a professional in his community," Bittel told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "If they trust him with Sidney Crosby, I trust him with my son."