State Chairs and Head Coaches,

PLEASE take a moment to go to the ESPN link below and watch the 11 minute segment on a young man that had a life altering blow to the head in a college football game.  It reinforces the fact that concussions are something NOT to be taken lightly and the need for all programs to have a concussion management program in place for all athletes.  See below.

The segment, focusing on sports concussions in young athletes, is framed around the actual case of LaSalle University football player Preston Plevretes, who was severely injured in a game against Duquesne University in 2008 and underwent life-saving brain surgery

USSA has continued to be a leader with regards to management of concussions in sport by establishing appropriate policies and procedures including the use of ImPACT for baseline testing and "Return to Sport" criteria. Athletes are removed from play and evaluated for symptom resolution and return to normal neurocognitive function before return to play. Second Impact Syndrome is one catastrophic outcome if athletes are returned to sport too soon.

http://espn.go.com/espn/e60/index