New Concussion Law In Effect For Schools
Virginia’s new laws are in effect to protect student athletes from concussions.
Harrisonburg Superintendent, Doctor Scott Kisner oversaw putting the new policy in place.
“I think this policy is really promoting the partnership between family, athlete, and the medical community.,” Kisner says.
Part of the new policy is to make sure all coaches and staff have adequate training in concussions, and that schools work closely with doctors and hospitals when accidents happen.
Even Dr. Kisner took part in the training, and was surprised at what he learned.
“What the signs and symptoms might be were somewhat surprising to me personally, because sometimes what you may think is not a concussion could actually be signs of a one.”
Darryl Wilson is the new Athletic Director at Harrisonburg High School. He’ll be at many games and practices in the next few months and will have to pull any player who’s suspected of having anything even close to a concussion… even if they don’t want to stop playing.
“A student will react how they react,” Wilson says. “But that’s not gonna make a difference in how we administer the policy and whether we take a student out of competition.”
A student cannot return to the game for at least five days after an incident or doctor approval. It’s all part of keeping the athletes safe.