Concussions & Varsity Sports: What Colleges And Universities Should Know

Sports-related concussions have been in the news a lot recently. Hockey star Sidney Crosby¹ made headlines after he suffered his fourth career concussion in 2017. Closer to home, a high school football team in New Brunswick forfeited a game after nine players sustained head injuries.² Stories like these highlight the fact that concussions are an ever-present risk in sports.

As awareness grows regarding the dangers (both short and long-term) of concussions, athletes should no longer just "shake it off" and go back into the game after a head injury. Colleges and universities should ensure that their student athletes and coaches know the signs of a concussion and ensure that proper procedures are in place to prevent athletes from returning to play before it is safe to do.