You Can Ring My Bell ...

[Multiple Sports]

BM - Was at the IAABO convention and Alan Goldberger said specifically to insist on a medical doctor that is willing to clear the player for his return to the game.

You might want to give Jeff Clark a ring / e-mail and ask him.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

BM - Was at the IAABO convention and Alan Goldberger said specifically to insist on a medical doctor that is willing to clear the player for his return to the game.

Unfortunately, that is not supported by the new rule. In fact, the reference to an MD (and to a written authorization to RTP) was actually removed in the rule. The NFHS specifically says that the "approved medical personnel" will depend on each state's laws and regulations. So each state will need to tell its officials who is approved to decide if the player can return to the game. The state might mandate a doctor, but they might not. They might say the trainer at the game is approved to make the decision. If that person says the kid is not concussed, then by rule, he can come back into the game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

Health Care Professional ?

According to Connecticut Public Act 10-62, An Act Concerning Student Athletes And Concussions, a Health Care Professional (HCP) is defined as: a Physician, a Physician's Assistant, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or an Athletic Trainer trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

BM - Was at the IAABO convention and Alan Goldberger said specifically to insist on a medical doctor that is willing to clear the player for his return to the game.

There is a lengthy discussion of this (written by Goldberger, who is a lawyer) in the current IAABO newsletter. He does not say it must be a doctor. Instead, he quotes the rule and says officials must know what their state association determines to be "appropriate health-care professionals" which could be medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, and certified athletic trainers.

He offers this rather common sense advice:

At the end of the day, officials continue to be “empowered” to remove players, but need not obtain written credentials of the health-care professional on the sidelines.