The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors at the IHSA office in Bloomington, IL, on Monday, August 25, 2014, and voted to set deadlines for coaches and administrators to complete the IHSA Concussion Education Course. This training became mandatory as a part of a new State law earlier this month. The Board added restrictions that would prevent a coach from coaching until they have completed the course. The deadline for completing the course will be the first allowable practice date for each sport season. Because of the timing of the law, an extension until Monday, September 15, has been granted for fall coaches in 2014.
“The new State law requires all coaches and administrators to complete this course,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “Over 10,000 coaches and administrators have completed the course already,” said Hickman. “That includes about 90 percent of the football coaches in the State and 80 percent of all fall sport coaches. We appreciate our member schools complying with this law in a timely manner, just as we commend the medical professionals who helped prepare the education and test.”
Morrison Community Unit District #6 (MCUD) Athletic Director Gregg Dolan reported that all fall sport coaches and volunteers have completed the video training and passed the quiz. These include football, golf, swimming, and volleyball personnel.
Dolan assumed the AD position Friday, August 1. He said he is still “trying to figure which end is up. It has been an interesting couple of weeks!” However, MCUD Superintendent Scott Vance stated Dolan was “one of the first people in the State to see the IHSA press release about this” time-sensitive coaching requirement. “He arranged for all fall coaches to” take the training on recognizing symptoms of possible.concussions.
Some sports were to debut Monday, August 25; an early dismissal due to high temperatures cancelled that.
- Football will be played at Oregon, IL, Friday, August 29. The first home game is against Princeton, IL, on Friday, September 5.
- Golf against Polo, IL, was cancelled yesterday. The team will travel to Kewanee, IL, for a meet on Wednesday, August 27.
- Volleyball was cancelled yesterday. The girls play away Thursday, August 28, and at home against Annawan, IL, on Monday, September 8.