Possible Head Injuries

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

We're officials, not medical professionals (except for those officials who happen to be medical professionals in their day-to-day, of course).

We've all taken concussion training (at least, I'd be very surprised if any state didn't mandate it at this point).

For MN, if an official observes any signs/symptoms of a concussion in a player, we're directed to stop the game and have that player replaced. The player is then supposed to be evaluated by an "appropriate health care professional" (doctor, athletic trainer, etc). If cleared by said health care professional, that player can return to the game within the bounds of the substitution rules for that sport.

If the player does return to the game, we are to assume that they have been cleared to do so. If the player returns to the game and exhibits signs/symptoms again, we send 'em off again to be evaluated.

Mark, Jr., and I are registered by both the OhioHSAA and MichiganHSAA.

The State of Ohio passed legislation in 2013 that requires anyone who adjudicates youth sports (18 and under) in the State of Ohio requires that person to have either passed one of two online concussion courses: 1) The one offered by the NFHS, or 2) the one offered by the CDC. OhioHSAA requires its officials to have completed the NFHS course every three years. Ohio's legislation means that if one is not an OhioHSAA registered official and you officiate/umpire non-OhioHSAA sanctioned youth sports in the State of Ohio that you must either have completed the NFHS or CDC online concussion course before one can officiate or umpire. It also means that out of state umpires who are assigned USA Softball Nationals that are conducted in Ohio must complete the NFHS or CDC online concussion course before they can umpire in Ohio

Neither the State of Michigan nor the MichiganHSAA have such a requirement.

MTD, Sr.