Injury Reporting/Return to Play

Greetings Coaches,

As we start the winter season and especially since we have many off campus sports I thought it prudent to remind you of a few things about reporting injuries and returning to play,

Beth Zook, our ATC serves as a liaison between physicians, coaches, athletes, and parents. She ensures that players participate only when physically able and that any physician instructions are understood and followed. In order to provide quality care:

• It is the athlete’s responsibility to report any injury or illness to Beth. We also expect communication from the coach.

• Return to play decisions will be based upon sound medical judgment with the athlete’s best interests in mind.

• Return to play decisions after a concussion/head injury will follow the TRIA sport concussion protocol and will be reported to the school nurse to make sure that a plan is in place for the academic side as well.

• Minnesota State High School League rules state that, if under a physician’s care, the athlete will need a signed note from the physician regarding the athlete's participation status in their respective sport.

• The note must be given to Beth and she must evaluate the injury before the athlete can resume participation.

• If the athlete is not seeing a physician, the return to play decision will be made by the ATC.

• If a coach or athlete disregards a return-to-play decision, the school’s Director of Athletics and Activities will be notified and appropriate actions will take place.

The bottom line is that we ask you to email or text any injuries to Beth and for you to remember that players, coaches and parents do not make return to play decisions. These decisions are made based upon sound medical judgment with the athlete’s best interests in mind.

More information about the BSM Sports Medicine Program may be found on pages 32 and 33 of our Coaches Procedures Manual linke here.

With my best regards,

Rick Johns '70, CMAA

Director of Athletics and Activities