NFHS Catastrophic Injury Research and Data Collection

Dr. Fred Mueller at the University of North Carolina is continuing the research projects that have been going on for a number of years. The football fatality research and data collection has been done since 1931. The football catastrophic research started in 1977 at the University of North Carolina and the research on fatalities and catastrophic injuries in all other sports was added beginning in 1982. Presently, Dr. Fred Mueller coordinates all of the research through funding by the NCAA and the American College Football Coaches Association with cooperation for data collection through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) at the high school level.

It is very important that each NSAA member school is aware of the catastrophic injury research and data collection system that is currently in place and being used by the NFHS. The NSAA is concerned that many member schools are not aware of this program and are not informing the NSAA office when a catastrophic athletic injury, including cheerleading, occurs. Many important decisions (rules changes, equipment changes, insurance rates, etc.) are based on this data, and it is essential that the NSAA and the NFHS have accurate information. Excellent examples are the swimming and diving and pole vault rule changes that have been implemented due to catastrophic injury reports.

Catastrophic injuries are listed as follows:

1. Fatalities.

2. Permanent disability injuries.

3. Serious injuries (fractured neck or serious head injury) even though the athlete

has a full recovery.

4. Temporary or transient paralysis (athlete has no movement for a short time,

but has a complete recovery).

Whenever a fatality or catastrophic injury occurs in any NSAA member school with regards to an NSAA sanctioned activity, the school needs to contact the NSAA office as soon as possible. The following are the steps that need to be followed in order to collect the required information for the NSAA and for the NFHS:

1. Complete the appropriate NSAA and NFHS forms for the activity involved.

2. Have appropriate consent form signed and attach to injury/fatality form.

3. Keep a copy of the reporting form and consent form for your files.

4. Mail or fax the completed reporting and consent form to the NSAA office.

The NSAA or the NFHS does not name the state, school, or student in making reports. Even though it is often difficult to get the forms completed, the information is very valuable and your efforts to obtain the information are greatly appreciated.