GDRHS Athletic Booster Club Announces New Concussion Initiative

GDRHS Athletic Booster Club is excited to fund the new Concussion Initiative to begin this coming school year 2013-2014. With more awareness of concussions and their impact on student athletes, GDRHS will be providing baseline concussion tests for all student athletes.

The software by IMPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely used and scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system in the nation. The computerized test takes about 20 minutes and will be administered by Steve Kleeman, the athletic trainer at GDRHS.

If a student has the unfortunate experience of concussion-like symptoms a follow-up test will be given and provided to the student and physician for another piece of measurement to assist the physician in determining when the student returns to play. "It is vitally important that athletes who sustain a concussion regain normal function prior to returning to physical activity. Baseline testing will provide significant information to assist in the return-to-play decision," said Steve Kleeman.

GDRHS is excited to be on the cutting edge of providing a safe environment for our students. Fall-season athletes will receive a pre-season testing schedule from their coaches beginning in August. Once scheduled, the student athlete will have their baseline concussion test administered at the high school as well as submit their updated annual physical paperwork. Winter and spring sport student athletes who are not participating in a fall sport will have the opportunity to have the test prior to the start of their season.