Folks, you may have heard that Ohio has adopted a new law concerning concussions that applies to both HS teams and also youth sports organizations.  Each of our club or school sponsored organizations are covered and are required to comply.   In general, the law requires each coach and official to take a free on-line concussion awareness course, and establishes procedures for removing a player from practice or games who exhibits signs of a concussion.  The law also establishes the requirements for a player to return to play (i.e., physician or certified trainer release).  Finally, the law requires each program to provide an informational disclosure on concussions in sports to the parent or guardian of each of your players.  The form is prescribed by the Ohio Department of Health.  The Department of Health has identified the on-line courses, and has also completed the parent disclosure form.  I have set forth below a link below to the Ohio Department of Health website that contains all of this information.  NOTE:  this law is effective 4/26/13 so each Program will have to comply.  Please note that the League and the Southern Ohio Chapter of US Lacrosse are not responsible for compliance with this law:  compliance is the responsibility of each Program.  You only have the immunity and other benefits of the law if you comply by having each coach and official take the on-line training, and for Programs to provide the disclosure to parents.  

Note the requirements and training are more detailed for HS programs, and also require the players to sign off on the player and parent receiving the concussion awareness disclosure.

Everyone should read this information carefully and make sure you comply.  

The Ohio Department of Health's Violence and Injury Prevention Program is pleased to announce our new youth concussion web page,www.healthyohioprogram.org/concussion

Dan Utt

To all youth coaches, high school asst. coaches and program directors:

The North Coast Chapter of US Lacrosse is offering the US Lacrosse Level I Certifications Clinic for Men’s and Women’s coaches on Saturday, March 23^rd at Oberlin College.  This will most likely be the last time we offer this program until spring, 2015 in this region.  We are planning on hosting Level II Men’s and Women’s clinics this fall and possibly a Level III clinic as well.

These certifications are sequential, so Level I is a requirement for the Level II Clinic.

There is still plenty of room for area coaches for both the Men’s and Women’s Clinics.  This is a great way to get your new and/or less experienced coaches prepared for the spring season.  An info flyer is attached for your convenience.

You may still register in advance, but the online registration is closed.  To register, you must contact Dara Robbins atdrobbins@uslacrosse.org.

Please let me know if you have any questions and/or problems.

Dara’s full contact info:

Dara Robbins

Coaching Education Program Manager

US Lacrosse

113 W. University Parkway

Baltimore, Maryland 21210

P: (410) 235-6882 x191

F: (410) 366-6735

drobbins@uslacrosse.org