I had the opportunity to attend the afternoon session of the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Symposium Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Sport and Health, presented by the school’s Center for Sport and the Law.
For those of us who have played lacrosse, we all know people who have gotten a big hit put on them, or did the big hitting. Perhaps, some of us have had teammates who have been sidelined due to concussion. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries have recently been spotlighted (concussion article link here) and have drawn the attention of a number of state legislatures and even the Congress of the United States.
This symposium and other forums like it are working to help shape the policy surrounding schools, athletes, and the coaches and personnel who work in sports.
The medical evidence that was presented in Dr. Ann McKee’s presentation points to the conclusion that repetitive brain trauma can lead to physical changes in the brain. At this point, conclusive diagnosis only is available after a person has died and there is no way of diagnosing long term brain injuries while a person is alive.
Luckily for the lacrosse community, US Lacrosse has teamed up with ImPACT Applications, Inc. to manage concussion. Although our sport has taken a proactive approach at the national level, it’s the local players, coaches, and parents who are in the best position to prevent and manage concussions.
This is not an issue that will be going away any time soon. What do you think about lacrosse and concussions?
Read more about the lacrosse and head injuries: US Lacrosse concussion initiative
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About the author: After playing high school ball at Idaho powerhouse Bishop Kelly, Jumbo Jack went on to the University of Utah where he was a 2005 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference All-Conference pick. From there he moved to Mt. St. Mary’s University in Maryland, where he became the first Idahoan to be on a Division 1 Lacrosse roster. Following a knee injury, he coached and played for the University of Idaho, helping lead the team to their first program wins and earning 2008 Pacific Northwest Lacrosse Conference honors. He is currently attending law school.
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