State officials have implemented a new concussion protocol for Texas’ largest high schools, including Bryan High.
The UIL is now requiring 6A high schools in Texas to submit individual concussion reports in an effort to track brain injuries among young athletes.
Josh Woodall, Bryan ISD’s Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, said the information being requested is something they already record.
“All of this information is already documented and recorded whenever an incident occurs, now it is just a matter of submitting this information,” said Woodall.
The reports are submitted to researchers at the O’Donnell Brain Institute at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
“To be able to better determine causes, the likelihood of an individuals in particular sports sustaining concussions and what that recovery looks like. And the hope is to eventually be able to prevent concussions through further research,” said Woodall.
Woodall says although the requirement only applies to 6A schools, smaller schools can voluntarily submit concussion reports.