Sports Advocate Blasts NCAA Concussion Policy

Details
by Michael Gaio
August 2013

The NCAA has been under plenty of heat lately.

While most of the criticism has revolved around the association's rules and the enforcement of those rules (or lack thereof), this recent column from the Huffington Post blasts the NCAA for not having adequate rules when it comes to concussions.

"In the world of big-time sports, the NCAA brings up the rear when it comes to brain trauma policy. Yes, even behind the National Football League. The NFL has received a lot of heat in recent years for how it has handled concussions -- most of it well deserved -- but the NFL's current policy in this area is superior to the laissez-faire approach of the NCAA."

<="" i="" align="left" border="0" height="255" width="170">The article, written by Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director of the League of Fans, goes on to say:

"Despite all the research during the past decade on brain damage from concussions in sports -- particularly in football -- the NCAA does not yet have a comprehensive policy on the issue for its member schools, only "general guidelines." Those overarching recommendations weren't even developed until 2010, well after the serious long-term effects of concussions were known."

According to the NCAA's Compliance Manual, member schools should apply the following guidelines when dealing with concussions:

- Inform athletes about the signs and symptoms of concussions

- Remove athletes who show signs of a concussion from play

- Prohibit students from returning to play the same day they were initially injured

As Reed says, "That's it." Of course, schools and conferences can take their own measures to keep student-athletes safe. For example, the Pac-12 and Ivy League both limit teams to two full-contact practices a week.

But Reed, who's explained his stance on sports to Athletic Business readers in the past, isn't happy that the responsibility of protecting players falls on individual schools, rather than the NCAA.

"In effect, the NCAA has delegated the concussion issue to schools as a strategy to avoid any legal liability and potential financial losses - all at the expense of their student-athletes' health and safety. Meanwhile, the NCAA continues to rake in billions of dollars from television and other sources through its revenue-at-all-costs policies."

He makes some legitimate points throughout the article, even going so far as to call the lack of rules "barbaric."

The NCAA was originally formed in 1906 with the goal of protecting student-athletes. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to "encourage reforms" to college football practices at the time.

Has the NCAA lost sight of its mission? Or are people like Reed being overly harsh? We'd love to see readers join the debate in our comments section.

Related Content

Letter from the Editor: Never Lose Perspective

Perspective is everything. It's a phrase that went through my head more than once as we put together our annual Facilities of Merit® issue.

read more
AB Reader Perspective: What Habits Would You Change?

Ed Steele
risk and safety coordinator, Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation, Harrisonburg, Va.

"Making myself stay on track. After 31 years, I am in a new position in our organization. Part involves playground inspection and safety, with which, as a CPSI for 15 years, I am very familiar. The other areas are ADA and OSHA compliance, which I am not as familiar with. I have to stay on track to balance the ongoing work of playground safety, while using down time to research and study relevant ADA and OSHA regulations."

read more
Gym Manager Among Those Killed in Shooting A 28-year-old Navy veteran and gym manager from Colorado was among the 59 people killed when a gunman opened fire on concertgoers in Las Vegas Sunday night. read more
Talking to Kids About 'Taking a Knee' During Anthem Parents are always looking for teachable moments, and they have one now regarding the renewed debate over some National Football League players kneeling during the playing of the national anthem to protest racial injustice, says Darrell Johnson, executive director of the nonprofit Positive Coaching Alliance NYC. The alliance works with student athletes and coaches in the tri-state area, including Nassau County. read more
AB Show: Visualize Your Public Rec Success

As a public recreation professional, you have the opportunity and privilege to have a positive impact on the life of every member in your community, with programs ranging from learn-to-swim classes for babies to aerobics workouts for seniors — and everything in between. But has it ever felt like the impact of what you do is not fully understood by the community?

read more
Emails: Ex-New Mexico AD Sought to Protect Donors Former University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs acknowledged in a draft retirement letter he wrote in early May that he initially withheld information about UNM paying for donors' expenses for a controversial Scotland golf fundraiser to protect the donors. Meanwhile, Krebs forwarded a reporter's questions in April regarding the school's search for a basketball coach to Gov. Susana Martinez's top political adviser at the same time Krebs said Santa Fe did not have any involvement in the search. Those are some of the details that emerged from emails recently obtained by the Journal from the final few months Krebs was athletic director. According to the emails the Journal obtained as part of an inspection of public records request, Krebs also: read more
AB Reader Perspective: Best Equipment Purchase?

 

read more
Letter from the Editor: Back to School

The thermometer remained pegged above 80 degrees, while high humidity kept air conditioners working overtime for most of July. However, as we wrapped up production on this month's issue, the calendar turned to August and here in Madison we saw our first day below 70 degrees. By the time some of you read these words, school will be back in session and the season's first football games will have already been played.

read more