State ranks in middle of safety study
Because the PIAA feels confident in its committee and policies to date, the organization would not have a knee-jerk reaction to the study, Mertz said.
“Our thing would be ‘Hey, give us a seat at the table,’ or at least let us be involved when you’re putting this together, or let us have a say,” Mertz said. “But don’t just throw this out there without the proper research.”
Dave McBain, West Allegheny athletic director and member of the PIAA and WPIAL’s sports medicine advisory committee, said he sees room for improvement in the state’s policies but pointed out schools have limitations.
While there is no state mandate for all schools to have a designated athletic trainer, which McBain is in favor of, some schools could struggle to afford it on their own.
“It all filters down and we try to be as cognizant as we can within our means, being able to put those pieces into place for the best practices for our kids, making sure they’re safe,” McBain said. “But not everybody has that availability.”
On Aug. 8, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations Bob Gardner responded to the study, saying the institute proclaiming itself as judge and jury of these safety issues does not help solve the problem or allocate resources to do so. The NFHS presides over state associations such as the PIAA.
“Very simply, a review of state association websites, such as the one employed by KSI, is an incomplete measurement of the efforts employed by states to assist their member schools with heat, heart and head issues,” the statement read. “Providing more research data, as well as funds to enact more prevention programs, would be muchmore useful than giving gradesto these associations.”
Gardner’s statement admits states’ safety policies and implementation aren’t perfect, but calls for assistance from programs like KSI instead of criticism.
“Certainly, there is room for improvement, and the American educational system will continue to be resource-challenged,” the statement read. “Schools will need more funding, more defibrillators, more athletic trainers and more constructive legislation. With the assistance of everyone who cares about young athletes, including KSI, we can keep getting better.”