Football season is upon us, which not only means my Sundays are booked until next February, but that I also get to enjoy watching my grandsons grow into great sportsmen. From being a college athlete myself and having a son and daughter-in-law play sports in college, I know that safety always comes first. Winning is great, but safety needs to be the top priority on and off the field.
Hoosiers need to be well informed about precautions, symptoms, and the proper steps to take after sustaining an injury. After two decades of being a first responder, I know the symptoms to look for in the case of a concussion: headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms may not be apparent until days or weeks after the injury. Concussions are a serious condition that can have long-term effects on the brain. Once an athlete sustains a concussion, they have a higher chance of experiencing more concussions down the road.
As a lawmaker, increasing student athlete safety is a priority. This year, we put in place a new law requiring coaches to receive certification in a safety education course to better identify and prevent head injuries. This new law gives coaches until July of next year to complete this safety education course.
Right now, athletes who are suspected of having a concussion are not permitted to return to practice until they have been evaluated by and received permission to play from a qualified health care provider. The new law requiring safety education will help prevent further and more serious injuries in the future. The coaches who have been trained and certified will be protected legally under this new law, unless there is evidence of gross negligence.
Be safe, responsible and have a successful school year, whether it be in the classroom or on the field.
As always, please contact me with questions or input at 317-234-3827 or by email at h67@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/67.
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Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties.
A high-resolution photo of Frye can be downloaded by clicking here.
