Ivy League goal to lower sport concussions

Ivy League presidents have agreed to a series of recommendations to lower the incidence of concussion and subconcussive hits in football, the league says. A special ad hoc committee co-chaired by Jim Yong Kim, president of Dartmouth University, and David J. Skorton, president of Cornell University, both medical doctors, also included Ivy League head football coaches, administrators, expert consultants, team physicians and athletic trainers. The recommendations, to take effect this coming season, include limits to the number of full-pad/contact practices that can take place throughout the football season and further emphasis on educating student-athletes on proper tackling technique, the signs and symptoms of concussion and the ramifications of repetitive brain trauma. In addition, there will be a more stringent post-game league review of helmet-to-helmet and targeted hits. "The presidents formed the committee because they were deeply concerned that concussions are a significant injury in football and wanted the Ivy League to take an active leadership role in developing steps and measures to limit concussions, first in football and then in other sports as appropriate," Robin Harris, executive director of the Ivy League, says in a statement. The committee reviewed and discussed data and research regarding concussions and head hits in football, and also looked at current NCAA and Ivy League rules and practices. "Because of the seriousness of the potential consequences, the presidents determined the league needed to take proactive steps in protecting the welfare of our student-athletes," Harris says.