Controversial studies linking concussions and football have raised eyebrows for parents and players alike about the dangers of playing the game. Lubbock ISD said they don’t take concussions lightly.
“Health and safety is our number one priority. It’s at the top of our list,” Ronnie Kirk, the Director of Sports Medicine for Lubbock ISD said.
Kirk said every student athlete is required to take a impact test which is a sports related concussion test prior to the start of their athletic season. If the student is injured with a concussion then they have to retake the test and pass to start playing again.
“Then they have a impact test that they have to go through and a trainer will monitor that. So they’re not even eligible for a period of time until they pass that test,” Seth Parr, the Head Football Coach at Coronado High School said.
Along with the testing both said since the rules have changed for the game of football nationally, including changing the way players are allowed to hit and make contact. They said they are taking extra steps to prevent injuries on the field.
“The field turf that we have at the PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, has extra padding to help prevent concussions. That impact of a player falling back and hitting the back of their head on the surfaces can cause a bad concussion,” Kirk said.
Two-a-day practices for some local football teams will start August 7th.