Athletes are active, motivated, dedicated, and goal oriented. Their benefits from athletic participation run wide and deep. These characteristics are important to their athletic success. But when an athlete has a concussion and activity is restricted during recovery, these characteristics can lead to frustration, denial and depression.

  Even though our student-athletes do not make the money that professionals make, they are just as valuable to us. Thus, student-athletes who sustain concussions need to be measured, monitored and managed by a concussion team that includes the coach, certified athletic trainer, doctor, parents, teachers, school nurse, school psychologist and concussion specialists.

  Even the most responsible athlete may not give up participating in sports voluntarily. That is why everyone in the athlete’s "neighborhood" should be involved when there is a possibility that an athlete has a concussion. Neighbors include the athlete’s family, coaches, teachers, friends, school nurses, doctor and certified athletic trainer.

  This booklet provides information about concussions. The first section explains what a concussion is and the possible immediate and long term effects. The following sections describe each person’s role in the neighborhood as guardian, protector and caregiver in the injured athlete’s recovery. Because the neighborhood functions like a team, it will be useful for readers to understand each person’s role – as doctor, parent, athlete, friend, teacher, educator, school nurse, coach, or certified athletic trainer. After reading the entire booklet, readers may want to give special attention to the sections that discuss their role in the student athlete’s care and recovery.