Post by Logan on Jan 30, 2016 1:42:59 GMT -6
Maryland bill would suspend coaches for playing athletes with concussions
Lawmakers in Annapolis are considering whether public school coaches should be suspended if they let players return to a game despite having suffered an apparent concussion.
Prompted by growing national concern about brain injuries to athletes from professional to youth leagues, an Anne Arundel County delegate has proposed a bill that that would, at minimum, suspend for the season any coach who lets potentially concussed athletes play.
"There's just a lot of pressures for just a win — win at all costs," said Del. Mark Chang, an Anne Arundel County Democrat. "I think it's important that safety comes first."
Proponents say the measure would strengthen a state law that seeks to protect young athletes who might have suffered head injuries. Others see the proposed penalty as unnecessarily harsh and say better education for coaches and hiring athletic trainers would be a more effective way to protect players.
Read more: www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-coaches-concussions-20160127-story.html
Lawmakers in Annapolis are considering whether public school coaches should be suspended if they let players return to a game despite having suffered an apparent concussion.
Prompted by growing national concern about brain injuries to athletes from professional to youth leagues, an Anne Arundel County delegate has proposed a bill that that would, at minimum, suspend for the season any coach who lets potentially concussed athletes play.
"There's just a lot of pressures for just a win — win at all costs," said Del. Mark Chang, an Anne Arundel County Democrat. "I think it's important that safety comes first."
Proponents say the measure would strengthen a state law that seeks to protect young athletes who might have suffered head injuries. Others see the proposed penalty as unnecessarily harsh and say better education for coaches and hiring athletic trainers would be a more effective way to protect players.
Read more: www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-coaches-concussions-20160127-story.html