Rising temps bring focus to heat illness awareness

The tropical storm has passed through Connecticut, and in its wake came tropical-like weather just as high school football players prepare for their first real scrimmages.

It’s the type of week for which a law enacted this summer is intended. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, every intramural or interscholastic coach will have to complete an annual course in exertional heat illness awareness, similar to the state’s concussion and cardiac-arrest awareness requirements, and athletes and their parents will also need at least to review material on heat illness.

But the CIAC, said executive director Glenn Lungarini, is ahead of the game: It has worked with medical and related organizations across the state on policies, and its medical handbook already has extensive information on heat-illness awareness.

The handbook also includes a sample emergency action plan, another state mandate for each school come 2022.

“We do believe the heatillness bill is a strong step forward for protecting student-athletes by requiring safety protocols, and that other resources are available,” Lungarini said.

“When it comes to heat illness, Connecticut has been one of the states that has been out front of heatillness safety protocol. We have the great fortune of having the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut. Their CEO, Doug Casa, has been a great partner and resource for us as we looked at the issue prior to legislation and in the development of the legislation.”

Named for the Minnesota Vikings lineman who died from exertional heatstroke during a 2001 practice, the Korey Stringer Institute’s mission “is to provide research, education, advocacy and consultation to maximize performance, optimize safety and prevent sudden death for the athlete, warfighter and laborer,” says its website.

Connecticut ranks 39th out of 51 (the 50 states plus the District of Columbia) in the Korey Stringer Institute’s state high school sports safety policy evaluation, but the latest study showed

Pete Paguaga / Hearst Connecticut Media Greenwich’s Jack Wilson throws a pass during a joint practice against Hand at Strong Field in Madison on Tuesday.