Franklin Lakes New Sports Concussion Policy Strongest In Area

Franklin Lakes is becoming the first municipal recreation deparment in the area to combat concussions by mandating baseline cognitive testing for chidren in municipal sports, starting with computerized neuro assessments for football players this fall and expanding the program to baseball and lacrosse in the spring.

All players 11 and older will have to undergo the testing for football.

In addition to baseline ImPACT testing, which will be performed starting in June, the policy calls for immediate removal from practice or competition if a head injury is suspected. A confirmed concussion results in two weeks off, and players can only return to the game after passing another assessment.

Rec Director John Ciurciu, who drafted the new policy, has seen the effects of concussions first hand with his brother Vinny Ciurciu, who plays for the Detroit Lions. The player suffered two concussions this past season, the second one knocking him out for the year despite being called a less serious "glance concussion."

"We have had players get concussions and we really want to protect the kids," Ciurciu said. "With more internet awareness about how serious head injuries can be, I thought it was a no brainer. This has got to be done." 

Councilman Frank Pedone, council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee, told Patch the policy will eventually be extended to all 3,000 children participating in the borough's sports programs.

"It's really about the safety of our kids," Pedone said. "It's a strong policy and so far everyone has been on board with it, the Rec Committee, the council and even the coaches."

Part of the concussion policy focuses on educating parents, coaches, students and administrators to ensure both the student-athlete's safety, and appropriate identification and response.

The full impact of repetitive head trauma from sports injuries is not fully understood. Last summer, researchers at the University of Boston discovered a link between sports concussions and a neuorological condition strikingly similar to ALS, which has lead some experts to question whether Lou Gehrig had the disease that bears his name or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Signs of Concussions
(Observed by Teammates, Coaches, Parents/Guardians, Athletic Trainers)

• Appears dazed, stunned or disoriented
• Forgets plays or demonstrates short term memory difficulties (e.g. unsure of game, score, opponent)
• Exhibits difficulties with balance, coordination, concentration and attention
• Answers questions slowly or inaccurately
• Demonstrates behavior or personality changes
• Is unable to recall events prior to or after the hit or fall
• Loses consciousness

Symptoms of Concussion
(Reported by Student/Athlete)

• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double vision or changes in vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Feeling of sluggishness or fogginess
• Difficulty with concentration, short term memory, and/or confusion
• Irritability or agitation
• Depression or anxiety
• Sleep disturbance