IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

sports medicine Advisory Committee

November 22 , 2006

The IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Thursday, November 16, 2006, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Committee members present were Gregory Gaa, Todd Cassens, Dr. James Green, Dr. Richard Everett, Senator John Davidson, John Wator, and Dr. Preston Wollin. Committee members not present were, Dr. Cynthia LaBella, Dr. William Marcuzzo. Assistant Executive Director Kurt Gibson was also in attendance.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOARD ACTION

None brought forward.

Accepted the Committee's Minutes

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURAL RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The committee discussed at length the charge given to them by the IHSA Board of Directors to develop a steroid testing program. As a part of identifying those components that will need to be addressed in the development of such a program, the committee recognized the need for such a program and pledged to create one that will maintain a level playing field for students involved in interscholastic athletics in Illinois. During the discussion, the committee affirmed its earlier position of supporting the NCAA’s banned list of steroids and supplements as the list for the IHSA to use in the event that the distribution of anabolic steroids and supplements by-law proposal is approved by the membership. Prior to the committee’s April 2007 meeting, the committee will review state finals participation numbers, contact potential collection groups and testing laboratories, and examine the efforts of other state high school associations as a means of gathering information.

Items of Discussion

1. The committee heard a report from Dr. David Weber concerning student health safety and the requirements on schools to be in compliance with emergency response plans. Dr. Weber is a licensed IHSA official, and through his presentation, he reinforced the need for schools to have clearly articulated response plans and the importance of coaches and officials knowing what they are at each contest site.
2. The committee discussed skin lesions that occur most frequently in wrestling and ways to provide member schools with information on them and information on appropriate ways to clean areas where athletes could spread such lesions or come in contact with various bacteria.
3. The committee also discussed increasing awareness and education for coaches in basic athletic training principles, such as taping ankles, CPR, etc. Committee members are concerned that coaches far too frequently lack knowledge in these types of areas.
4. The committee discussed the importance of contest officials allowing qualified athletic trainers, physicians, or other medical personnel to respond to injuries during play. While the committee was reminded that sport playing codes dictate when such individuals can come onto the field of play, the committee may examine the need to establish dialogue with specific IHSA sport advisory committees to make sure their concerns are heard.