As we race towards the beginning of the school year, many people are filled with the satisfaction of knowing that football season is just around the corner.

While we have the Olympic Games to whet our appetite for the next several weeks, sports fans around the globe will be focused on the end of August and the beginning of the four-month real life drama that will unfold on the gridiron.

For school administrators, athletics are a way to keep students in school. Sports also serve as a common goal around which the student body can rally. Unfortunately, interscholastic athletic programs can also be a headache and a liability.

Mismanagement and neglect can result in injuries and even death, costing school systems millions of dollars in retribution. Administrators, coaches, parents and athletes need to be aware of the dangers of athletics, and utilize the tools that can minimize the risk of injury.

First, hire (or at least consult with) a health care professional with a background in sports medicine. A certified athletic trainer is a great place to start. Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Only 37 percent of public high schools currently employ an athletic trainer.

Design an emergency action plan (EAP) for each venue and each sport that utilizes the venue. The plan should include emergency phone numbers, location of on-site medical equipment and a map that illustrates access points for emergency personnel. Coaches and administrators should practice the plan to gauge its effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.

In the hot and humid climate of South Louisiana, preparation is critical to reduce the chances of a heat related tragedy. Unlimited amounts of drinking water should be available, and breaks should be taken during extended activity.

The amount of breaks can be decided by assessing the temperature and humidity values at the time of practice. Athletes should be encouraged to focus on hydration and nutrition as part of their overall conditioning program.

Finally, a baseline concussion evaluation is a good idea, especially for those athletes involved in contact sports. Football and soccer are the sports with the highest amount of reported concussions.

If an athlete has results from a baseline concussion evaluation, those results can be compared to a follow-up test in the event a concussion occurs. The research and recommendations regarding head trauma are changing rapidly, and there are many experts weighing in on how to properly treat an athlete with a concussion diagnosis.

The Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional has a comprehensive program designed to assist coaches and athletes with their sports medicine needs. The Center focuses on athletic safety in a number of ways.

At Thibodaux Regional, we have advanced technology incorporating balance, vision and dynamic stabilization to assess and treat concussions as they occur.

We also focus on safety from a different perspective — game officials. The Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional offers seminars and hands-on clinics that allow officials to identify athletes that are having health issues during competition.

In addition to concussion, athletes may experience in-game emergencies such as heat illness, dehydration, and internal injuries that may not be readily identified by the casual observer.

At the core of Thibodaux Regional’s commitment to the athletic community is the Certified Athletic Trainers. These highly-trained professionals visit area schools and assist the coaches and administrators with all of their sports medicine needs. The athletic trainers are present at practices and games. They evaluate, treat and refer injuries as necessary.

With a staff of dedicated Certified Athletic Trainers, Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained orthopedic surgeons, specialized physical therapists and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists, the Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional is truly working to keep athletes safely in the game.

Larry D’Antoni, LAT, ATC, is coordinator for the Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional. For more information, call 985-493-4502.