The NCAA News - News & Features

A Worthy Effort

By G. Dennis Wilson
CHAIR, NCAA COMMITTEE ON COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF SPORTS

The comprehensive plan featured in this issue was three years in the making. It is the latest and probably most significant contribution of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports to student-athlete welfare. The plan is consistent with the NCAA's long-standing commitment to safety, reflected in its founding by President Theodore Roosevelt. Though conceived some 90 years ago, this commitment remains pertinent, as evidenced by the Association's adoption of health and safety principles that acknowledge member institutions' responsibility to protect the health of and provide a safe environment for each of its participating student-athletes.

The final report includes discussion on issues of ongoing committee interest, such as safety in spring football and wrestling, as well as relatively new issues such as athletics certification and health insurance. The committee received significant input from the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Association's sports and sports-rules committees, and several national sports medicine organizations.

The report includes several recommendations for action. All of these recommendations, some involving legislation, were forwarded to the NCAA Council in August for endorsement. A summary of Council actions on these recommendations is included on page 4 of this newsletter.

To be successful, however, this effort must be embraced at a higher level. As noted in the foreword of the recently distributed 1996-97 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, a health and safety commitment involves more than legislated rules and equipment standards. General principles, such as providing appropriate medical coverage for all participants, should be embraced by every institution. Respect for the intent of the entire health and safety plan, including recommendations that will extend beyond the form of legislation ultimately will determine the effectiveness of our committee's work.

G. Dennis Wilson is director of physical education at Auburn University. He can be called at 334/844-4483.