KOREY STRINGER INSTITUTE SUPPORTS USA FOOTBALL’S HEADS UP FOOTBALLSM PROGRAM

The Korey Stringer Institute at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut has partnered with USA Football to support its Heads Up Football program that strives to make the game better and safer for youth and high school football players. USA Football’s headquarters are in Indianapolis, and it is the sport’s governing body.

Named for the former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman who died in August 2001 from exertional heat stroke, the Korey Stringer Institute is dedicated to provide first-rate information, resources, assistance and advocacy for the promotion and prevention of sudden death in sport through health and safety initiatives.

The institute has collaborated with USA Football to develop material on heat and hydration safety measures that is core to Heads Up Football and included in USA Football’s Level 1 Coaching Certification Course.

The Korey Stringer Institute is proud to partner with USA Football in its efforts to enhance health and safety issues of youth football players,” KSI Chief Operating Officer Dr. Douglas Casa said. “The opportunity to provide the heat and hydration curriculum for the Heads Up Football educational program is important for our organization. We are hopeful this will go a long way toward providing coaches with the information they need to help kids safe when exercising in the heat.”  

Nearly 2,800 youth leagues across the United States registered for Heads Up Football in 2013, accounting for more than 25 percent of the youth football community. In addition, 35 high schools in 10 states piloted Heads Up Football during the 2013 season. USA Football will offer its Heads Up Football program to all youth leagues and high schools in 2014.

“We’re pleased that the Korey Stringer Institute, which is dedicated to the same goals of player safety as we at USA Football, has chosen to support our initiative for creating a better, safer game,” USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said.

Heads Up Football stands on six primary tenets:

Coaching education

· High school coaches will gain training through USA Football’s High School Coach Certification course, developed in partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Equipment fitting

· Coaches, parents and players are taught proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting.

Concussion recognition and response

· Coaches learn and are assessed on CDC concussion recognition and response protocols through USA Football’s Level 1 Coaching Certification Course.

· Coaches, parents and players are taught CDC concussion-related protocols.

Heat and hydration

· Coaches, parents and players are taught heat and hydration safety measures set forth by the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute.

Player Safety Coach

· Appointed by a participating Heads Up Football youth organization or high school, this individual ensures compliance with Heads Up Football’s player safety protocols, coach certification, and the conducting of safety clinics for coaches, parents and players.

Heads Up Tackling

· USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling technique, endorsed by medical and football experts, which teaches to keep the head up and reduces helmet contact for safer play.

USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling technique was developed with contributions of USA Football’s Tackle Advisory Committee, which includes Northwestern head coach PAT FITZGERALD, UCLA head coach JIM MORA, former NFL running back MERRIL HOGE, Miami Christopher Columbus High School head coach CHRIS MERRITT and sports psychologist DR. DAVID YUKELSON.

Along with KSI, organizations that support USA Football and its Heads Up Football program include the American College of Sports Medicine; National Athletic Trainers Association; Korey Stringer Institute; Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society; National PTA; National Association of Sports Officials; National Federation of State High School Associations; Pop Warner Little Scholars; National Police Athletic League; AAU Football; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; American Football Coaches Association; Atlantic Coast Conference; the Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences; the NFL and NFL Foundation; and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.

About USA Football: Indianapolis-based USA Football (usafootball.com) is the sport’s national governing body, leading the game’s development for youth, high school and other amateur football players. The independent nonprofit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, partners with leading medical organizations and collaborates with football leaders for a better, safer game through coaching education and player skill advancement.

About KSI: In August 2001, Korey Stringer, a Pro Bowl NFL offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings, died from exertional heat stroke. Since Korey’s death, his widow, Kelci Stringer, has worked tirelessly with guidance from James Gould, Korey’s agent and friend, to develop this institute to prevent sudden death in sport. In honor of her husband’s legacy, Kelci Stringer joined with exertional heat stroke and athlete health and safety expert Dr. Douglas Casa at the University of Connecticut to make this dream a reality. KSI opened April 23, 2010, and has partnered with the NFL, Gatorade, Kestrel, Mission, One Beat and CamelBak to further advance its efforts and goals.