High Incident Sports will be required to do baseline screening for concussions. These high incident teams include the following: Hockey (x5), Wrestling (Men and Women), Lacrosse, Taekwondo, Ski/Snowboarding, Equestrian, Figure Skating, Synchronized Skating, Triathlon, Cycling, Men’s Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball. For any other team it will be optional and will be done if requested from the coach.

Concussions are a serious medical condition that needs to have proper care and treatment like any other injury. In order to keep a patient from further harm or damage after a concussion it is imperative that the participant communicate with the athletic trainer regarding the head injury, no matter how minor. It is also important for other teammates and coaches to spot abnormal behavior and concussive symptoms and report them to the athletic trainer immediately. Hiding concussive symptoms, or continuing to play, in lieu of a head injury may lead to serious harm, further damage to the brain, and prolong recovery time.

An athlete diagnosed with a concussion will not return to play or travel with the team until they have been cleared by a Licensed Healthcare Provider (ex. ATC and Physician).

Some Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty concentrating
• Inappropriate playing behavior
• Decreased playing ability
• Inability to perform daily activities
• Reduced attention
• Cognitive and memory dysfunction
• Sleep disturbances
• Vacant stare
• Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
• Personality change
• Unsteadiness of gait
• Slurred/incoherent speech
• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Light headedness
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Disorientation
• Feeling of being stunned
• Depression
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of consciousness

Notification of Injury/Symptoms:

Due to the serious nature of this injury and potential dangerous results of returning to activity, concussions need to be recognized and diagnosed as soon as possible. It is required that student-athletes be truthful and forthcoming about their symptoms as soon as they are present. If/when he or she is diagnosed with a concussion, the student-athlete must report symptoms each day until he or she is cleared for full activity by the Team Physician or designee.

The return to play progression is a 7-step process. At least 24 hours must pass before moving on to the next step. If symptoms return the athlete must go back a step. The steps are as follows:

1. No Activity – Directly after being diagnosed with a concussion, the athlete should have total physical and mental rest. Once the student-athlete is asymptomatic at rest and concussion test scores are 95% or better than the baseline scores the athlete will progress to the next step.
2. Active Recovery – At the discretion of the Athletic Trainer or supervising Team Physician, the athlete will begin supervised recovery exercises, but will not be permitted to do these exercises outside the supervision of the Athletic Trainer or other Sports Medicine staff. This protocol is outlined below in the section entitled “Active Recovery Protocol”.
3. Light Aerobic Exercise – Walking, swimming, or biking while keeping heart rate below 70% of max.
4. Sport-Specific Exercise – Basic low impact drills associated with the athlete’s sport. (No head impact activities)
5. Non-Contact Training Drills – Progress to more complex drills, weight training is permitted.  
6. Full Contact Practice – After receiving medical clearance, athlete may resume normal training activities.
7. Return to Play

*This protocol will always be followed. No Exceptions!*

Injury/Sickness Policy*

A student-athlete who is sick or injured and cannot attend class should notify the athletic training staff the day of the absence. If the student-athlete does not attend class they are not allowed to attend practice. Student-athletes must communicate with the athletic training staff if they need a medical excuse note due to missing class. Student-athletes also must provide information to contact the professor(s) involved. If the athletic trainer does not clear the student-athlete they will not be allowed to participate in practice.  If a student-athlete is cleared for limited practice they should check with the athletic trainer as often as asked until cleared.  The student-athlete will NOT be allowed to practice without being cleared.

Concussion Policy*

When a student-athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, Sarah Kelly, the Director of Academic Advancement, should be notified immediately. In the notification email the following information should be included: duration the student-athlete needs to be absent from class, the symptoms the student-athlete is suffering from most, and if they will also need to miss convocation as well as classes. The Director of Academic Advancement will email all the student-athlete’s professors regarding the concussion. The student-athlete should also be educated on the Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) and should contact the office in case they need further assistance while they recover. A student-athlete who has been diagnosed with a concussion by a healthcare professional and who has not been able to regularly attend classes or who has incomplete assignments will not be allowed to travel with their team. While the student-athlete is recovering from their concussion he/she will not be permitted to attend practices, games, or travel.

Communication between the student-athlete, professor, athletic trainer, and Director of Academic Advancement should be prioritized during the time of recovery. If attending class or convocation exacerbates symptoms, a note can be given to excuse the student-athlete. A note must be obtained in anticipation of missing convocation or within the week following the absence.

If a student-athlete is not able to return to class during the semester a medical incomplete or withdrawal will be needed. A Liberty approved physician must have a letter of documentation and approval that they are eligible for a medical incomplete or withdrawal. Angie Witt, Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine will also need to be brought this letter for approval. Meeting with the Director of Academic Advancement will then be required to discuss timeline for work completion.

Surgery Policy*

Student-athletes who have surgery during the semester will be excused from class for the day of surgery as well as the following day as long as a note is turned in to their professors before the date of surgery. All other absences will be based on pain control and mobility. Student-athletes who have surgery should be in communication with the athletic training staff daily if missing any class. During recovery the student-athlete’s sole focus should be on returning to regular class attendance and completing missed assignments. Once surgical healing and academic standing permits the student-athlete may be allowed to attend team events again.

*All these situations warrant responsibility of the student-athlete to contact the athletic training staff and professors about the injury, concussion or pending surgery. Both the athletic training staff and Director of Academic Advancement will intervene as support if a specific issue arises with a student-athlete and professor.