IHSA director says organization is proactive in regards to concussions

Posted on October 29, 2015

IHSA executive director Marty Hickman. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – A courtroom’s not the proper arena to deal with sports injuries. That’s the case in a judge dismissing a class action lawsuit against the organization that runs interscholastic sports in Illinois.

“It became apparent to the judge that a lawsuit is not the best way to deal with these kinds of issues,” Illinois High School Association executive director Marty Hickman said. “Secondly, and the judge said it in an affirmative way, that the IHSA had been acting to improve player safety in athletics in Illinois.”

Hickman adds football is a contact sport and can cause injury, but a concussion can occur during most other sports – and many non-sporting activities, he adds.

Current protocol is for a player to be removed from action upon any sign of concussion, only to return after being cleared by a medical professional.

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