Fourteen Legal Duties of Athletic Personnel [NIAAA]

By: John Evers | NIAAA

DUTY TO ASSESS AN ATHLETE'S READINESS FOR PRACTICE AND COMPETITION

Coaches are required to access the health and physical or maturational readiness skills and physical condition of athletes

Athletic department should develop a packet for all prospective student-athletes
Athletic department should develop a Student Athletic Handbooks for all parents and athletes
All forms should include clear designations for all needed signatures
Prospective Student Athlete packets should include:
- Official state high school athletic associated physical examination form
- All medical clearance forms required by the state association
- Emergency contacts forms as required by the athletic department
- Permission to participate forms approved by the state association and school
- Proof of insurance
- Any other forms required by the school and/or state athletic association

Injured Athlete Protocol

Coaches must keep accurate records of all injures and practice attendance
Athletic Department should develop methodology for return to practice and/or play

Athletic Transfers

All athletic transfers must comply with school and state association rules
Athletic department must develop protocol to track all athletic transfers
Athletic department must develop policy for any contact with prospective transfers
Athletic department must work with Guidance department to develop communication

Academic Tracking

Athletic department must develop protocol to track all grades for all athletes
Athletic department must develop protocol for reporting of grades
Athletic department must develop protocol for certification of all grades

Legal Issues

Athletic department must develop policies for tracking illegal activity of athletes
Athletic department must develop protocol for tracking violation of code of conduct
Athletic department must always protect the privacy rights of all student-athletes

DUTY TO MAINTAIN SAFE PLAYING CONDITIONS

Coaches are considered trained professionals who possess a higher level of knowledge and skill that permits them to identify foreseeable causes of injury inherent in defective equipment or hazardous environments

Safety rules should be developed and communicated to ALL parties that enter or use facilities.

Place in ALL athletic facilities
- Laminate rules
- Use font as large as possible
Share in all pre-season parent meetings
Share in all pre-season athlete meetings
Share in all coaches handbooks

Checklists should be develop for safety and security inspections of ALL facilities

Game and practice facilities (including parking and restrooms)
Locker rooms and training rooms
Weight rooms
Parking lots and public area associated with athletic facilities

Reporting System must be develop to respond to safety issues

Reporting forms must be developed and shared with all staff
Develop system of reporting all issues to appropriate maintenance staff
Develop system of communication of completed work to all supervisory staff
Reporting system must be developed to track reports over time

Develop an Emergency Plan for all Sites

Protocol for tracking and communicating severe weather events
Protocol for communication of any other dangerous events
System for communication of emergency information to all media, parents and the public
System for communication at each venue used for practice and/or game
System for communication to coaches and athletes in transit (bus or van)
System for communication to officials and game workers
Develop Management and Safety plans for all venues. Educate and share with:
- Student-Athletes and Coaches
- Parents, patrons and general public
- All staff and personnel
- Local EMS services