- NMU Policies and Requirements

2025-2026 NMU Concussion Safety Protocol Policy

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Northern Michigan University - Concussion Safety Protocol

NMU Concussion Safety Protocol (updated July 29, 2025)

Introduction

Northern Michigan University is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its student-athletes. To this end, and in accordance with NCAA legislation [Division I Constitution 3.2.4.18; Division II Constitution 3.3.4.16; Division III Constitution 3.2.4.16], Northern Michigan University has adopted the following Concussion Safety Protocol for all student-athletes. This protocol establishes and/or identifies: (1) a sport-related concussion definition; (2) concussion safety protocol personnel and independent medical care; (4) preseason education; (5) pre-participation assessment; (6) recognition and diagnosis of concussion; (7) concussion management; (8) return to activity, including both return-to-learn and return-to-play; (9) reducing exposure to head trauma; and (10) written certificate of compliance signed by the athletics health care administrator.

1. Concussion Definition

There is no uniform definition of concussion. The Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, which resulted from the 6th international conference on concussion in sport, defines sport-related concussion as follows:

Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities. This initiates a neurotransmitter and metabolic cascade, with possible axonal injury, blood flow change and inflammation affecting the brain. Symptoms and signs may present immediately, or evolve over minutes or hours, and commonly resolve within days, but may be prolonged.

No abnormality is seen on standard structural neuroimaging studies (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging T1- and T2-weighted images), but in the research setting, abnormalities may be present on functional, blood flow or metabolic imaging studies. Sport-related concussion results in a range of clinical symptoms and signs that may or may not involve loss of consciousness. The clinical symptoms and signs of concussion cannot be explained solely by (but may occur concomitantly with) drug, alcohol, or medication use, other injuries (such as cervical injuries, peripheral vestibular dysfunction) or other comorbidities (such as psychological factors or coexisting medical conditions).

2. Independent Medical Care

As required by NCAA Independent Medical Care legislation, team physicians and athletic trainers shall have unchallengeable autonomous authority to determine concussion management and return-to-activity decisions for all student-athletes. Further, the athletics health care administrator shall ensure that the concussion safety protocol is available for, and rehearsed by, all athletics personnel.

3. Preseason Education

All student-athletes will be provided and allowed an opportunity to discuss concussion educational material (e.g., the NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet, Appendix A) or other applicable material and will be required to sign an acknowledgement (Appendix B), on an annual basis and prior to participation, that they have been provided, reviewed and understood the concussion education material. This signed acknowledgement will be filed in the student-athlete's medical record. Student-athletes will also be provided an example post-concussion care form that will be reviewed with an athletic trainer if a concussion is sustained (Appendix C).

All coaches, team physicians, athletic trainers, directors of athletics and other athletics personnel involved in NCAA student-athlete health and safety decision making will be provided and allowed an opportunity to discuss NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix D) or other applicable material and will be required to sign an acknowledgement (Appendix E or F depending on the personnel), on an annual basis, that they have been provided, reviewed and understood the concussion education material. This signed acknowledgement will be filed in a secure location.

4. Pre-Participation Assessment

All NCAA student-athletes will undergo a pre-participation baseline concussion assessment. This assessment assumed individualized medical care, which means: Each athlete and each injury are different. Depending on the severity of prior injuries, the number of concussions, other individual concerns and based on the developing state of science, the team physician/primary health care provider should review each athlete’s history and consider discussing with the student-athlete concerns about concussion and repetitive head impact as warranted, including potential risks and benefits from playing sport. Such discussion allows the athlete to make an informed decision about their participation in sport. This pre-participation assessment will be conducted at Northern Michigan University and, at a minimum, will include assessment for the following:

• History of concussion or brain injury neurologic disorder and mental health symptoms and disorders.
• Symptom evaluation (SCAT6).
• Cognitive assessment (ImPACT, SCAT6).
• Balance evaluation (modified BESS and SCAT6).

The Northern Michigan University team physician will determine pre-participation clearance and any need for additional consultation or testing and will consider a new baseline concussion assessment six months or beyond for any NCAA student-athlete with a documented concussion, especially those with complicated or multiple concussion history. Importantly, baseline testing may inform post-injury evaluation; however, student-athletes who have suffered a concussion may perform at the same level or even better than their baseline testing, as motivation and other factors may differ in post-concussion testing. Ultimately, baseline testing serves as one of many potential factors in making a clinical decision.

5. Recognition and Diagnosis of Concussion

Medical personnel with training in the diagnosis, treatment and initial management of acute concussion must be present at all NCAA competitions in the following contact/collision sports:

• Women’s Basketball; Men’s Basketball; Women’s and Men’s Diving; Football; Men’s Ice Hockey; Women’s Lacrosse; Pole Vault; Women’s Skiing; Men’s Skiing; Volleyball; Women’s Wrestling; Women’s Soccer; and Men’s Soccer.

Medical personnel with training in the diagnosis, treatment and initial management of acute concussion must be present at all home NCAA competitions in the following sports:

• Women’s Cross Country; Women’s Indoor Track and Field; Women’s Outdoor Track and Field; Women’s Swimming and Diving; Men’s Swimming and Diving; Women’s Wrestling; and Women’s Volleyball.

NOTE: To be present means to be on site at the campus or arena of the competition. Northern Michigan University will ensure that such personnel will be from Northern Michigan University, from the opposing team or may be independently contracted for the event.

Medical personnel with training in the diagnosis, treatment and initial management of acute concussion will be available at all NCAA practices in the following contact/collision sports:

• Women’s Basketball; Men’s Basketball; Football; Men’s Ice Hockey; Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field (Pole Vault); Women’s Lacrosse; Pole Vault; Women’s and Men’s Skiing; Women’s and Men’s Swimming and Diving (Diving); Women’s Volleyball; Women’s Wrestling; Women’s Soccer; and Men’s Soccer.

Medical personnel with training in the diagnosis, treatment and initial management of acute concussion will also be available at all home NCAA practices in the following sports:

• Women’s Cross Country; Women’s Golf; Men’s Golf.

NOTE: To be available means that, at a minimum, medical personnel can be contacted at any time during the practice via telephone, messaging, email, beeper or other immediate communication means. Further, the case can be discussed through such communication, and immediate arrangements can be made for the athlete to be evaluated.

Any NCAA student-athlete that exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with concussion must be removed from practice or competition for evaluation Symptoms of concussion include, but are not limited to: (1) physical symptoms of headache, nausea, balance problems, dizziness, visual difficulty, fatigue, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, headache, feeling "out of it" or "foggy," vision changes, feeling dazed or stunned; (2) cognitive symptoms of feeling mentally foggy or slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, forgetfulness, confusion, feeling slow; (3) emotional symptoms of irritability, sadness, nervousness, feeling more emotional; (4) sleep symptoms of drowsiness, sleeping more or less than usual, difficulty falling asleep.

Visible signs of concussion include but are not limited to: lying motionless; tonic posturing; unconsciousness; vomiting; vacant look; slow to get up; balance difficulty, poor coordination, ataxia, behavioral changes; clutching the head.

If an athlete, teammate, coach, official or member of medical staff identifies signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with concussion, the following will take place immediately:

• The athlete must be removed from practice or competition for evaluation.
• The athlete must be evaluated by an athletic trainer or team physician (or physician designee) with concussion experience.
• The athlete must be removed from practice/play for that calendar day if concussion is confirmed or suspected.
• The athlete may only return to play the same day if the athletic trainer, team physician or physician designee determines that concussion is no longer suspect after evaluation. Even in such cases, consider next day follow-up assessment because initial symptoms may not appear for several hours.

6. Initial Suspected Concussion Evaluation

The initial concussion evaluation must include an immediate assessment/neurological screen for “red flags” or observable signs (as noted in the Concussion Emergency Action Plan below). The assessment may include a multi-modal evaluation as clinically indicated such as:

• Clinical assessment for cervical spine trauma, skull fracture, intracranial bleed and catastrophic injury.
• Allow ample time (e.g., 10-15 minutes) when conducting a multi-modal screen (e.g., SCAT6) to evaluate for a potential concussion.
• Symptom assessment (SCAT6).
• Physical and neurological exam (SCAT6).
• Cognitive assessment (SCAT6).
• Balance exam (mBESS and SCAT6).

A Concussion Emergency Action Plan should be in place and include:

A student-athlete must be immediately removed from play and assessed for possible transport to a local hospital/trauma center when any of the following signs/symptoms/behaviors are present:

• Neck pain or tenderness.
• Seizure or convulsion.
• Double vision.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Weakness or tingling/burning in more than one arm or in the legs.
• Deteriorating conscious state.
• Vomiting.
• Severe or increasing headache.
• Increasingly restless, agitated or combative.
• Glasgow Coma Scale Score <15.
• Visible deformity of the skull.

7. Post-concussion Management

For all cases of diagnosed concussion, there must be documentation that post-concussion plan of care was communicated to both the student-athlete and another adult responsible for the student-athlete, in oral and/or written form. Because symptoms may evolve or manifest over time, for all suspected or diagnosed concussions, there will be in place a mechanism for serial evaluation of the student-athlete off-field the same day and up to 72 hours.

Immediate Management may include a short (24 hours) period of relative rest following the injury. Complete rest and isolation should be avoided, even during the initial 24-48 hours post-injury. Reduced screen use in the first 48 hours after injury is recommended. The clinician may consider recommending symptom-limited, light aerobic physical activity within 24-48 hours (e.g., walking).

For Subacute management plan (three days to weeks post-injury) the Northern Michigan University Athletic Training staff will evaluate and monitor the student athlete for continued symptoms using:

• Symptom Evaluation (SCAT6 symptom list daily)
• SCAT6 as indicated by Team Physician

In addition, the subacute management plan may consider* evaluating for the following, as clinically indicated:

• Screen for fear, anxiety or depression or other mental health issues.
• Screen for sleep disturbance.
• Graded aerobic exercise testing.
• SCOAT 6

Re-Evaluation:

Any NCAA student-athlete with atypical presentation or persisting symptoms > 4 weeks will be re-evaluated by a physician in order to consider additional diagnoses, best management options, and consideration of referral. Additional diagnoses include but are not limited to: fatigue and/or sleep disorder; migraine or other headache disorders; mental health symptoms and disorders; ocular dysfunction; cervical and vestibular dysfunction; cognitive impairment and autonomic dysfunction including orthostatic intolerance and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; pain.

8. Return to Learn

Student-athletes require a graduated program of care following concussion, both for return-to-learn and return-to-play. Both will be considered carefully.

Return-to-Learn
Returning to academic activities after a concussion is a parallel concept to returning to sport after concussion. The vast majority of young adults have a full return-to-learn with no additional academic support by 10 days post-injury. Cognitive activities require brain energy utilization and after concussion, brain energy may not be available to perform normal cognitive exertion and function. The return-to-learn concept should follow an individualized and step-wise process overseen by a point person within the athletics department, who will navigate return-to-learn with the student-athlete and, in more complex cases of prolonged return-to-learn, work in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team that may vary student-to-student depending on the specifics of the case but may include but not necessarily be limited to:

• Team physician.
• Athletic trainer.
• Counseling and Consultation Services representative.
• Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).
• Academic Adviser.
• Course instructor(s).
• Dean of Students (or designee).
• Office of disability services representative.
• Coach.
• Medical Specialists/NMU CRC

NMU’s Return-to-learn process will be overseen by the Head Athletic Trainer in conjunction with compliance personnel. The athletic trainer will contact this group as soon as possible to notify them of a newly diagnosed concussion in a student-athlete. The AT will also complete the Return-to-Learn Form and send it to this group to facilitate short-term academic adjustments. This group will facilitate any academic adjustments requested.

A student-athlete who has suffered a concussion will return to classroom/studying only as tolerated with modification of schedule/academic adjustments, as indicated, with help from the identified point-person. The plan may address environment, physical, curriculum and/or testing adjustments. Campus resources will be engaged for cases that cannot be managed through schedule modification/academic adjustments. Campus resources will be consistent with the ADAAA and will include one of the following:

• Learning Specialists
• Office of Disability Services
• ADAAA Office

A student-athlete will be re-evaluated by a team physician (or their designee) and members of the multidisciplinary team, as appropriate, if concussion symptoms worsen with academic challenges or in the event of atypical presentation or persistent symptoms lasting longer than two weeks.

9. Return to Sport

Return-to-Sport
It is important to recognize each return-to-play plan will be individualized and supervised by a Northern Michigan University health care provider with expertise in concussion management. Complete rest and isolation should be avoided, even for the initial 24-48 hours. Relative rest is important in the first 24 hours. Unrestricted return-to-sport should not occur prior to unrestricted return-to-learn for concussions diagnosed while the student-athlete is enrolled in classes. Final determination of return-to-sport will be made by a Northern Michigan University team physician or his/her medically qualified designee following implementation of an individualized, supervised stepwise return-to-sport progression that includes:

Step 1. Symptom-limited activities of daily living.
Step 2. Aerobic exercise with light resistance training as tolerated [no more than mild or brief (<1 hour) exacerbation of symptoms].
        2a. Light (up to approximately 55% maximum heart rate); then
        2b. Moderate (up to approximately 70% maximum heart rate).
Step 3. Individual sport-specific exercise and activity without any increased risk of inadvertent head impact exposure.

Proceed to step 4 only after resolution of signs and symptoms related to the current concussion, including with and after physical exertion.

Step 4. Non-contact practice with progressive resistance training.
Step 5. Unrestricted practice or training.
Step 6. Unrestricted return-to-sport.

NOTE: If at any point the student-athlete becomes symptomatic (more symptomatic than baseline), a Northern Michigan University team physician or his/her qualified designee will be notified, and adjustments will be made to the return-to-play progression. For example, testing stops with an increase of more than 2 points on a 0 to 10 point scale when compared with the pre-exercise resting value. It is commonplace for progression of each step to take at least 24 hours.

10. Reducing Exposure to Head Trauma

Northern Michigan University is committed to protecting the health of and providing a safe environment for all of its participating NCAA student-athletes. To this end and in accordance with NCAA association-wide policy, Northern Michigan University will limit student-athlete head trauma exposure in a manner consistent with Interassociation Recommendations: Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death in Collegiate Athletes and Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport. To that end, Northern Michigan University will be proactive in efforts to minimize exposure to head trauma. The following procedures are in place:

• Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix A), plus education regarding safe play and proper technique, are made available to student-athletes through their ARMS account and at the time of the pre-season annual health examination.
• Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix D), plus education regarding safe play and proper technique, are made available to coaches, sport administrators, team physicians, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches on an annual basis.
• Northern Michigan University teams will adhere to existing ethical standards in all practices and competitions
• Using playing or protective equipment (including the helmet) as a weapon will be prohibited during all practices and competitions.
• Deliberately inflicting injury on another player will be prohibited in all practices and competitions.
• All playing and protective equipment (including helmets), as applicable, will meet relevant equipment safety standards and related certification requirements
• Northern Michigan University will keep the head out of blocking and tackling in contact/collision, helmeted practices and competitions.
• Northern Michigan University will emphasize education of proper technique to reduce head impact exposure for all contact and collision sports, with special emphasis in pre-season.
• Northern Michigan University will adhere to policies and rules in sport that limit the number and duration of contact practices and activities in contact-collision sports.
• Consideration of participation in neuromuscular training warm-up programs.
• For ice hockey: it is recommended that all players wear a mouthguard.

Appendix A

CONCUSSION SAFETY:  WHAT STUDENT-ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW

What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury.It follows a force to the head or body and leads to a change in brain function.l It is not typically accompanied by loss of consciousness.

How can I keep myself safe?
1. Know the symptons.
You may experience......

• Headache or head pressure
• Nausea
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy or foggy

2. Speak up.

• If you think you have a concussion, stop playing and talk to your coach, ethletic trainer or team physician immediately

3. Take time to recover

• Follow your team physician and athletic trainer's directions during concussion recovery. If left unmanaged, there may be serious consequences.
• Once you've recovered from a concussion, talk with your physician about the risks and benefits of continuing to participate in your sport.

How can I be a good teammate?
1. Know the symptoms
You many notice that a teammate...

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Forgets an instruction
• is confused about an assignment or position
• is unsure of the game, score or opponent
• Appears less coordinated
• Answerw questions slowly
• Loses Consciousness

2. Encourage teammates to be safe.

• If you think one of your teammates has a concussion, tell your coach, athletic trainer or team physician immediately
• Help create a culture of safety by encouraging your teammates to report any concussion symptons.

3. Support your injured teammates.

• If one of your teammates has a concussion, let him or her know you and the tea support playing it safe and following medical advice during recovery.
• Being unable to practive or join team activities can be islating. Make sure your teammates know they're not alone.

Note: No two concussions are the same. New symptons can apear hours or days after the initial impact. If you are unsure if you have a concussion, talk to your athletic trainer or team physician immediately.
 

NCAA | SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE | CONCUSSION SAFETY | WHAT STUDENT-ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW

What happens if I get a concussion and keep practicing or competing?

• Due to brain vulnerability after a concussion, an athlete may be more likely to suffer another concussion while symptomatic from the first one.
• In rare cases, repeat head trauma can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage or even death.
• Continuing to play after a concussion increases the chance of sustaining other injuries too, not just concussion.
• Athletes with concussion have reduced concentration and slowed reaction time. This means that you won't be performing at your best.
• Athletes who delay reporting concussion take longer to recover fully.

What are the long-term effects of a concussion?

• We don't fully understand the long-term effects of a concussion, but ongoing studies raise concerns.
• Athletes who have had multiple concussions may have an increased risk of degenerative brain disease and cognitive and emotional difficulties later in life.

What do I need to know about repetitive head impacts?

• Repetitive head impacts mean that an indifidual has been exposed to repeated impact forces to the head. These forces may or may not meet the threshold of a concussion.
• Research is ongoing but emerging data suggest that repetitive head impact also may be harful and place a student-athlete at an increased risk of neurological complications later in life.

Did you know?

• NCAA rules require that team physicians and athletic trainers manage your concussion and injury recovery independent of coaching staff, or other non-medical, influence.
• We're learning more about concussion every day. To find out more about the largest concussion study every conducted, which is being led by the NCAA and U.S. Department of Defense, visit: ncaa.org/concussion.

CONCUSSION TIMELINE

Baseline Testing	Concussion	Recovery	Return to Learn	Return to Play
Balance, cognitive and neurological tests that help medical staff manage and diagnose a concussion.	If you show signs of a concussion, NCAA rules require that you be removed from play and medically evaluated.	Your school has a concussion management plan, and team physicians and athletic trainers are required to follow that plan during your recovery.	Return to school should be done in a step-by-step progression in which adjustments are made as needed to manage your symptoms.	Return to play only happens after you have returned to your pre-concussion baseline and you’ve gone through a step-by-step progression of increasing activity.

 

Appendix B

STUDENT-ATHLETE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NMU CONCUSSION SAFETY PROTOCOL

I, ________________________________________________, was present at my team certification meeting and I received a copy of the Northern Michigan University Intercollegiate Athletics Concussion Safety Protocol, including the NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix A).

_______I hereby acknowledge that it is my responsibility to immediately self-report any signs or symptoms of a concussion to the NMU sports medicine staff.

_______I will honestly report any and all possible symptoms of a concussion to the NMU sports medicine staff.

_______I understand that failure to self-report any concussion or concussion related symptoms may put my health and well-being at risk.

I understand that I may choose not to sign this form. If I do not sign this form, I understand that I will not be able to participate in intercollegiate athletics at NMU and that I will, therefore, have to forfeit my athletic scholarship and/or grant-in-aid. ___________________________________ Signature of Student-Athlete ___________________________________ Print Name ___________________________________ Date
___________________________________ Signature of Parent or Guardian (if student-athlete is under 18)
___________________________________ Print Name ___________________________________ Date

Appendix C

Post-Concussion Care Form

Student-Athlete Name: _____________________________________
Date: ________________________

You have been evaluated and/or diagnosed with a concussion by a member of the Northern Michigan University sports medicine staff. The following are signs and symptoms that may occur within hours or days of your injury:

Physical	Thinking	Emotional	Sleep
Headache	Feeling Foggy	Irritability	Drowsiness
Nausea	Problems     concentrating	Sadness	Seeping more than     usual
Fatigue	Problems   remembering	Nervousness	Sleeping less than   usual
Visual disturbances	Feeling slowed down	Feeling more   emotional	Trouble falling asleep
Balance problems
Vomiting
Sensitivity to noise

We ask you to identify a designated caregiver or responsible adult (e.g., family member, roommate, friend, and teammate) that will have the availability to check on you periodically. Please give this sheet to your designated caregiver who is monitoring you so they are able to help recognize signs or symptoms that may develop.
 

Designated Caregiver: _______________________ Phone Number: ____________________

It is OK to	DO NOT
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol)	Take Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve, Aspirin, Excedrin, etc.)
Eat a light meal	Drink alcohol
Rest	Drive a car or operate machinery
Use an ice pack for neck pain or discomfort	Engage in mental activity that make   symptoms worse
Go to sleep (no need to wake up hourly)	Listen to loud music
	Engage in physical activity
	Stay alone tonight

If any of the above signs or symptoms develop and/or worsen after the initial injury, please contact your sports medicine staff at the number below. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Athletic Trainer: _____________________________ Phone Number: ___________________

Specific Recommendations: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recommendations provided by: ___________________________________________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ______________

 

Appendix D

CONCUSSION SAFETY: WHAT COACHES NEED TO KNOW

What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. If follows a force to the head or body and leads to a change in brain function. It is not typically accompanied by loss of consciousness.

How can I tell if an athlete has a concussion?

You may notice the athlete...

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Forgets an instruction
• Is confused about an assignment or position
• Is unsure of the fame, score or opponent
• Appears less coordinated
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness

The athlete may tell you he or she is experiencing...

• A headache, head pressure or that he or she doesn't feel right following a blow to the head
• Nausea
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy or foggy
• Confusion, concentration or memory problems

Note no two concussions are the same. All possible concussions must be evaluated by an athletic trainer or tem physician.
 

What can I do to keep student-athletes safe?

	Preseason	In-Season	Time of Injury	Recovery
What can I do?	Create a culture in which concussion reporting is encouraged and promoted.	Know the signs and symptoms of concussions.	Remove athletes from play immediately if you think they have a concussion and refer them to the team physician or athletic trainer.	Follow the recovery and return-to-play protocol established by team physicians and athletic trainers.
Why does it   matter?	Athletes who don’t immediately seek care for a suspected concussion take longer to recover.	The more people who know what to look for in a concussed athlete, the more likely a concussion will be identified.	Early removal from play can mean a quicker recovery and help avoid serious consequences.	Team physicians and athletic trainers have the training to follow best practices related to the concussion recovery process.
Tips and   strategies	Be present when your team physician or athletic trainer provides concussion education material to your team. Tell your team that this matters to you.	Check in with your team physician or athletic trainer. If you want to learn more about concussion safety.	Provide positive reinforcement when an athlete reports a suspected concussion.	Tell athletes that decisions related to their return to play and health are entirely in the hands of the team physician and athletic trainer.

You play a powerful role in setting the tone for concussion safety on your team. Let your team know that your take concussion seriously and reporting the symptoms of a suspected concussion is an important part of your team's values.
 

NCAA | SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE | CONCUSSION SAFETY | WHAT COACHES NEED TO KNOW

What happens if an athlete gets a concussion and keeps practiving or competing?

• Due to brain vulnerability after a concussion, an athlete may be mmore lekely to suffer another concussion while syptomatic from the first one.
• In rare cases, repeat head trauma can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage or even death.
• Continuing to play after a concussion increases the chance of sustaining other incuries too, not just concussion.
• Athletes with a concussion have reduced concentration and snowed reaction time. This means they won't be performing at their best.
• Athletes who delay reporting concussion may take longer to recover fully.

What are the long-term effects of concussion?

• We don't fully understand the ling-term effects of a concussion, but ongoing studies raise concerns.
• Athletes who have had multiple concussion may have an increased risk of degenerative brain disease, and cognitive and emotional difficulties later in life.

What do I need to know about repetitive head impacts?

• Repetitive head impacts mean that an indivualhas been exposed to repeated impact forces to the head. These forces may or may not meet the threshold of a concussion.
• Research is ongoing but emerging data suggest that repetitive head impact also may be harmful and place a student-sthlete at an increased risk of neurological complications later in life.

Did you know?

• Most contact or collision teams have at least onestudent-athlete diagnosed with a concussion every season.
• Your school has a concussion management plan, and team physicians and athletic trainers are expected to follow that plan during a student-athlete's.
• NCAA rules require that team phusicians and athletic trainers have the unchallengeable authority to make all medical management and return-to-play decisions for student-athletes.
• We're learning more about concussion every day. To find out more about the largest concussion study ever conducted, which is being led by the NCAA and U.S. Department of Defense, visit ncaa.org/concussion.

For more information, visit ncaa.org/concussion

 

Appendix E

Coach Acknowledgement of NMU Concussion Safety Protocol

I, ___________________________________________, was present at our staff concussion informational session and received a copy of the Northern Michigan University Intercollegiate Athletics Concussion Safety Protocol, including the NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix D).

________ I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to report all injuries and illnesses including concussions of a student-athlete to the sports medicine staff.

________I will openly and honestly report any and all possible symptoms of a concussion observed in a student-athlete to the sports medicine staff.

________If I suspect a student-athlete has a concussion, I am responsible for notifying the sports medicine staff.

________I will not allow a student-athlete to return-to-play in a game or practice if they have received a blow to the head or body that results in concussion related symptoms.

________I have read and understand the Northern Michigan University Intercollegiate Athletics Concussion Safety Protocol, including the NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix D).

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the educational material regarding concussions and the sports medicine staff has given me an opportunity to ask questions regarding areas and issues not clear to me.

___________________________________ Signature of Coach ___________________________________ Print Name ___________________________________ Date

Appendix F

Team Physician, Athletic Trainer and Director of Athletics Acknowledgement of NMU Concussion Safety Protocol

I, ___________________________________________, have reviewed the Northern Michigan University Intercollegiate Athletics Concussion Safety Protocol, including the NCAA Concussion Safety fact sheet (Appendix D). I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to carry out student athlete health care requirements specified in the Protocol.

___________________________________ Signature ___________________________________ Print Name and Title ___________________________________ Date

 

Compliance Certification*
Academic Year 2025-26

Northern Michigan University
Concussion Safety Protocol

By signing and dating this form, I hereby acknowledge, on behalf of the institution identified above, that for the 2025-26 academic year, the attached Northern Michigan University Concussion Safety Protocol is consistent with the NCAA Concussion Safety Protocol Checklist and otherwise fulfills the requirements of all applicable NCAA Concussion Management Plan legislation.

Required Signature                                               Optional Signature**
Athletics Health Care Administrator 

Print Name: _____________________________  Print Name: _______________________

Sign: __________________________________  Sign: _____________________________

Date: __________________________________  Date: _____________________________
 

Option Signature**                                                Optional Signature**

Print Name: _____________________________  Print Name: _______________________

Sign: __________________________________  Sign: _____________________________

Date: __________________________________  Date: _____________________________
 

** The form allows for additional optional signatures to accommodate conference or institutional signature requirements beyond the signature required by NCAA legislation.