Published: October 16, 2020
“In September 2017, the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) published a report providing a snapshot of state-level policies concerning sudden death and catastrophic injuries in high school sports. Since this initial landscape analysis and a robust effort to strengthen these policies across the country, 38 states have adopted legislative or State High School Athletic Association changes improving on that baseline. This remarkable progress was chronicled in KSI’s most recent policy evaluation report, released in August 2020.
It’s no coincidence that three-quarters of states have adopted changes in just three years. This nationwide movement towards stronger safety rules has been driven by the work of Team Up for Sports Safety (TUFSS), a KSI-led initiative aiming to propel the adoption of high school athletic policies proven to reduce the incidence of catastrophic sports injuries. The rapid, widespread success of TUFSS has been fueled by robust support from the National Football League Foundation and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association along with numerous private donors.
As part of the TUFSS initiative, KSI hosts meetings within states and invites local high school sports leaders and policy makers to engage in conversation aimed as fueling the adoption of health and safety policies that enhance the wellbeing of high school student athletes. Through the implementation of TUFSS-recommended policies and procedures, schools can be well prepared in the unfortunate event of a catastrophic injury, helping to reduce risk of athlete fatality from sudden cardiac arrest, traumatic head injuries, exertional heat stroke, and exertional sickling.
Research, Advocacy and Education
The Korey Stringer Institute draws its name and inspiration from Korey Stringer, a Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman who passed away from exertional heat stroke in 2001. In an effort to prevent additional exertional heat stroke deaths, Stringer’s widow, Kelci, joined forces with exertional heat stroke expert Dr. Douglas Casa at the University of Connecticut to form KSI, which launched in April 2010. KSI’s mission is to provide research, education, advocacy and consultation to maximize performance, optimize safety and prevent sudden death for the athlete, warfighter and laborer”
The entirety of article can be found here: Player Health & Safety Article October 2020