Archive: Sports

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced Monday that the Senate has adopted legislation he co-sponsored to establish guidelines for coaches, teachers and other school personnel to protect our students from traumatic brain injuries.

“School athletic programs, intramural sports and physical education classes are an important part of the educational experience at every school district in our State. It is important that we make this experience as safe as possible for our student athletes and ensure that every school is prepared to treat and monitor concussions and other brain injuries,” said Nozzolio. “This legislation is critical in reducing the risk of these injuries causing long-term damage and will encourage parents, students and coaches to take preventative steps to avoid serious head injury.”

The legislation, known as the Concussion Management Awareness Act requires coaches, teachers and other school personnel to be trained about the symptoms of mild traumatic brain injuries and the importance of proper medical treatment. In addition, the State Education Department, the Department of Health and local school districts will post on their internet websites information for parents and students about how brain injuries occur, the signs and symptoms of such injuries and guidelines about returning to school, physical education classes and sports after an injury.

The legislation also prohibits any student who may have suffered a concussion from participating in athletic activities until they have gone twenty-four hours without showing symptoms and have been authorized to return by a licensed physician.

Nozzolio has worked closely with Ray Ciancaglini of Romulus to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries and the dangers they pose to young student athletes. Ray, a former boxer, has created a website to share information on Second Impact Syndrome, where an athlete who has already sustained a head injury sustains a second head injury before symptoms from the first injury have resolved.  For more information visit www.thesecondimpact.com.

“I thank Ray for his support and encouragement as I fought to enact the Concussion Management Awareness Act in the State Senate,” said Nozzolio. “This legislation will ensure that coaches, trainers and others are properly prepared to handle mild traumatic brain injuries before they become severe or life-threatening.”

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