Athletic Participation at Oswegohigh School

Athletic Participation at OswegoHigh School

We have 25 Varsity sports at Oswego High School, with a total of 60 levels of participation, to serve the interests of our student population who wish to become involved in athletics.

The increase in the number of students participating, plus the rapid developmental changes in the bodies of young athletes is the reason we take steps to insure the health, safety and enjoyment of the athlete’s participation.

Even under ideal situations, anyone who engages in physical activity is subject to possible injury. Fortunately, the majority of these injuries are minor. With proper training, conditioning, instruction, diet, and rest habits many of these potential injuries can be eliminated or significantly reduced.

Athletic Health Insurance

OswegoCommunityUnitSchool District 308 offers an optional health insurance plan administered by an outside company. You may purchase their policy as secondary coverage to your own health care package. This coverage is offered in two different plans:

Accident Coverage – 24 hours a day protection

Grade 9-12 Tackle Football Coverage

The cost of each plan is negotiated on a regular basis with the chosen insurance company. Current rates and additional information can be obtained by checking your registration materials sent from OswegoHigh School or by contacting the Main Office at (630) 636-2000.

What is a Certified Athletic Trainer?

Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents. Certified athletic trainers are required by their national certifying body and the State of Illinois to maintain their skills through Continuing Education Requirements or they will lose their ability to practice their profession.

Certified athletic trainers are certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification. This body requires that qualified individuals take extensive written and practical examinations testing their skills in the five domains or practice areas of athletic training after completing an undergraduate course of studies at an accredited college or university program.

The domains of athletic training are:

Prevention of athletic injuries

Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injures

Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries

Health care administration

Professional development and responsibility

In addition, as of January 1, 2007, all individuals who practice athletic training in the State of Illinois are required to hold a specific license to practice.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

On your last visit to the doctor, undoubtedly, you were given information about patient privacy. The certified athletic trainers at OswegoHigh School are licensed health care professionals. As such, your physician can provide us with treatment and reconditioning information related to your student’s medical condition with your permission. Please help us provide care for your student by getting written information from your physician and forwarding that information to us. If you have questions about HIPPA and its impact on our Athletic Training Program, please call and speak with a member of our staff.

Athletic Department Pre-Participation Physicals

All students who participate in any athletic activity must have a current physical on file in the office of the Athletic Director. IHSA POLICY requires that this physical be performed by a “Licensed Physician.” (Note: ALL incoming freshmen must have a physical prior to the beginning of the 9th grade).

The athletic physical must be obtained prior to the beginning of the school year or date of first participation on a team and must be updated annually to verify the health status of our athletes. The physical is valid for one calendar year plus one month only. You must choose where and when to obtain this physical but it must be done on a yearly basis and may run out in midseason depending on when you obtained the first physical. We do offer an All Sports Physical for returning athletes (returning students who will be sophomores, juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year). It is offered at the end of the school year. More information will be made available to you about the physicals through the Athletic Department’s website, the local newspaper, and flyers home before the end of the school year.

Parent Contact Information

At the beginning of each season parents are required to fill out an Emergency Information Card. This information is important as it provides us with a list of who should be contacted in case of emergency.

It is extremely important that any information on how to reach you at work or through other communication means is placed in the athletic training database. If you are needed in an emergency the certified athletic trainers, coach, or athletic administrator will be able to access this information in order to contact you. But, this information is only corrected if you have updated the school with any changes which have been made in your work or communications status.

It is also imperative that you communicate any existing medical conditions your student may have that will impact their health and well-being while participating in athletics. Coaches, our school nurse, and the Athletic Training Staff need to be aware of any specific medical information that may have an impact on your child’s health. Please help us be fully prepared to care for your student-athlete by providing us the necessary information on the Athletics2000 website.

Preseason Conditioning

Because of the high level of competition in our athletic conference, it is important that students who plan to go out for a sport are physically prepared for the challenges of that sport. We strongly encourage participation in preseason conditioning programs.

Athletes need to be strong, flexible, and cardiovascularly fit in order to meet the demands of sport participation. Being in good overall shape will also help your child reduce the chance of injury in the first few weeks of the season.

Please encourage your student to begin conditioning for athletics well before the beginning of the season. The fitness center at OswegoHigh School is open on a regular basis for out of season athletes. It should be used by all athletes to address their preparation for sport participation.

Tips for the Beginning of the Season

During the first two weeks of any sport season, the athlete can alleviate the discomfort of the increased physical exertion of the sport by doing the following:

STRETCH OFTEN

This will help the athlete achieve his/her full potential and help prevent injury. Lack of flexibility is one of the leading causes of athletic injuries. We recommend that an athlete take a few moments to stretch in the morning, before practice, after practice, and again later in the evening before going to sleep. You should feel some muscle tension but the stretching should not be painful. Stretches should be done slowly and statically (DO NOT BOUNCE WHEN STRETCHING!!!).

EAT WELL

With the increase in physical activity comes the increased need for calories to provide energy and nutrients. The athlete should increase consumption of complex carbohydrates such as breads, pasta, fruits and vegetables. Stay away from high fat and high salt foods. Protein is important but is usually sufficient in the normal diet. Carbohydrate sources are much more beneficial for energy and growth than are high protein diets.

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS

Adequate fluid replacement is important to prevent fatigue, excessive weight loss, and possible heat related complications. Athletes should drink 8-10 8-ounce servings of fluids each day no matter what sport they participate in. WATER is important. Avoid carbonated beverages. Consume more water, milk, fruit drinks, or sport drinks as they are better for your system than carbonated soft drinks.

During the Season

DIETARY GUIDELINES AND FLUID REPLACEMENT

Athletic participation places physical, emotional and mental stresses on an athlete. It is important that young athletes eat properly in order to provide quality fuel for activity. The following guidelines are general considerations which may assist the athlete in his/her efforts to succeed.

1. Eat a varied diet – Avoid eating the same foods every day.

1. Eat breakfast!!!! – Athletes need good fuel which includes breakfast. Any combinations of foods such as toast, juice, cereal, milk, and fruit help prevent low blood sugar and help the body function optimally throughout the day.

1. Avoid excessive amounts of fast food – Fast foods generally have a higher fat content which is digested slowly and may produce unwanted weight gains.

1. Drink plenty of fluids – Fluids are important to hydrate the system, assist in the chemical process of energy metabolism, and provide for the transportation of nutrients throughout the body. Choose fluids wisely, water is the best. Fruit juices, sports drinks, and low-fat milk are good fluids sources. Avoid carbonated beverages, caffeinated beverages, and soft drinks as they contain products which can detract from healthy athletic performance.

1. Avoid large amounts of red meat – While you need good sources of protein in an athletic diet, red meat is high in fat and calories. Choose more poultry and fish as your sources of protein in the diet.

1. Consume complex carbohydrates – The athletic diet should consist of foods such as breads, potatoes, vegetables, pasta, whole grain products, fruits, cereals, toast, waffles, and pancakes. These products contain the energy sources an athlete needs and also the other nutrients necessary for good metabolic function and tissue growth.

1. There is no magic diet!!! – No athlete will be successful due to diet alone. A good diet will provide the nutrients needed for successful athletic participation. But, exercise, practice, heredity, and skill development are also needed for athletic achievement.

FLEXIBILITY GUIDELINES

We cannot feel ourselves getting tighter, but this does happen each day we do not stretch. Adequate flexibility helps muscles perform to their fullest capacity, allowing the athletes to achieve speed, range or motion, reduce soreness, and achieve their greatest level of athletic success.

The following guidelines will allow your student to achieve the type of flexibility needed for athletics:

1. Flexibility can be lost quickly and can only be improved slowly.

1. Athletes should begin to stretch 2-3 weeks prior to the beginning of a sport season if they are not already stretching daily.

1. Stretching should not hurt. You will feel tightness and perhaps some discomfort while stretching but you should not be in pain.

1. Warm muscles stretch more easily than cold muscles. If possible, walk briskly, jog, or ride a stationary bike for a few minutes prior to stretching. Once you begin to sweat, you are properly warmed up.

1. Stretch to a point of tightness, hold that position for 10-15 seconds, relax, and repeat the process two or three more times.

1. Do Not jerk or bounce while stretching to avoid injuring yourself.

In the Event of an Injury

AT SCHOOL

Injuries which occur at OswegoHigh School should be reported to the coach who will direct the student to the certified athletic trainer for evaluation and possible referral. In most cases, injuries are minor and the athlete will be given home care instructions and directions about follow-up care in the athletic training room. If time permits or the injury is more extensive, parents/guardians will be notified with instructions for follow-up care or other concerns may be addressed.

ON THE ROAD

If an athlete is injured away from OswegoHigh School, the coach should be notified immediately. Athletes may be taken to the certified athletic trainer of the hosting school for evaluation or referred to the certified athletic trainer at OswegoHigh School for further evaluation upon return to OHS. Because of travel times and distances of some contests from OswegoHigh School, the student may need to report the injury to the certified athletic trainer on the following school day. In cases of significant injury, parents will be contacted about the injury directly by either the host school’s certified athletic trainer or the student’s coach and consulted about the injury.

If told to “see the certified athletic trainer at OswegoHigh School,” the athlete should report as soon as convenient the following day. This may be before school, during Mr. Cronin’s free-period (TBA), or immediately after school. While the athletic training room is not open at all times throughout the day, the students can check on the availability of the certified athletic trainer to discuss their injury and treatment/rehabilitation options.

QUESTIONS FROM HOME

If you are concerned about the injury that your student encountered during athletics, please call the Certified Athletic Trainers. If an injury that appears to be minor one day and becomes more bothersome the next, please call so we can help you in deciding the next steps in treatment for your son/daughter. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE SEVERITY OF AN INJURY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. We are able to offer special treatments to the athlete on written order of a physician. Written communication with your doctor is very important for us to appropriately (and legally) treat your student and return them to safe athletic participation when release by the physician. If your student goes to a physician, a medical release note is required before they will be allowed to return to play, even if “no injury” has resulted.

Mr. Cronin 630-636-2163
Ms. Nickels 630-636-2401
Ms. Hughes 630-636-2402

Medical Clearances and Notes for Playing

1. No athlete will be allowed to practice or compete without a medical clearance. Medical clearances are necessary for any and all doctor’s visit (MD, DO, DC, NP, PA, PT, etc.). This is to help protect the player, coach, certified athletic trainer, and school from liability issues. Medical clearances must be received directly from the physician by the certified athletic trainer via doctor’s note (prescription note or official letter on letterhead from doctor’s practice), fax (scanned prescription note or official letter on letterhead from doctor’s practice), or email (scanned prescription note or official letter on letterhead from doctor’s practice).

1. Once the certified athletic trainers have determined that physician evaluation is necessary, the coach will be notified. The athlete will not be allowed to return to participation in practice or competitions until a clearance note has been received from the physician by the certified athletic trainers.

1. If the athlete has already seen a physician prior to seeing the certified athletic trainers, the athlete will not be allowed to return to participation in practice or competitions until a clearance note has been received from the physician by the certified athletic trainers. The certified athletic trainers need specific instructions from the physician about treatments that should be performed for the injury, or need a note saying that the certified athletic trainers can “treat the injury at their discretion.”

1. If the certified athletic trainer has a question about a clearance note the athlete will not be allowed to return to participation in practices or competitions until the certified athletic trainer has clarified the clearance note with the physician.

1. The certified athletic trainer will notify the coach when an athlete has received medical clearance.

1. Medical notes regarding playing with casts or other special pieces of equipment shall be a shared responsibility between the athlete, certified athletic trainers, and coaching staff. The athlete will be required to bring a note to the certified athletic trainers no later than the day before a competition. The certified athletic trainers will make a copy of the note for the athlete, head coach, and the officials. The original will be placed in the athlete’s medical file. Coaches please notify the certified athletic trainers of any rule changes involving casts, braces, or other special equipment at the beginning of the season, so we can better serve the athletes who may require this equipment during the season.

1. Concussion protocol is documented separately in order to return athletes safely to participation without risk of further injury. Athletes with concussions are only cleared to return to play when they have completed the schools “Return-to-Play” protocol, even if cleared by a physician to ensure a safe return to participation. For further information about the concussion “Return-to-Play” protocol, please speak to one of the certified athletic trainers or see the Concussion/Head Injury Care and Return to Play Guidelines link on the Athletic Department webpage.

I understand and promise to adhere to the above policies with the understanding that failure to comply with these policies could result in removal from participation in my current sports season and possibly additional sports seasons.

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Student SignatureDate

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Parent SignatureDate

THE P.R.I.C.E. PRINCIPLE

If any injury occurs, initial treatment should include the PRICE principle in order to promote healing and reduce swelling.

P: PROTECTION for the injured area. After injury occurs protect from further

injury using splint, brace or other materials to prevent further injury from

occurring.

R: REST the injured area. Do not move it needlessly, walk on it to test the area,

or continue to exercise if it hurts. We will immobilize the injured area/provide

you with crutches if necessary.

I: ICE the injured area to reduce swelling. Ice application should be 20 minutes