The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports approved an updated version of the Concussion Safety Protocol Checklist and other concussion resources. This Frequently Asked Questions document provides responses to some anticipated membership questions.
Q1. Are schools required to have a concussion management plan?
A1:Â Yes. Schools are legislatively required to maintain a concussion management plan that includes an updated concussion safety protocol. The NCAA Board of Governors designated the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports to prescribe the process and format of the concussion management plans schools are required to have.
Q2. What is the Concussion Safety Protocol Checklist and why was it created?
A2. The Checklist is a tool created to support schools’ compliance with industry best practices and applicable concussion protocol management legislation. The Checklist was developed to serve as a guide for clinicians and stakeholders who manage concussion and head injury in collegiate athletes. NCAA legislation requires that schools’ concussion safety protocols must be consistent with the Checklist.
Q3. How is the Checklist updated?
A3. In June 2018 CSMAS recommended the creation of the Concussion Safety Advisory Group to review and to provide recommendations about developments in concussion science, clinical practice and policy (including recommendations to update the Checklist). The Sport Science Institute and CSMAS work with CSAG, at least annually, to satisfy this charge.
Q4. When was the Checklist last updated?
A4. CSMAS approved updates to the Checklist during its September 2023 meeting. These updates are effective January 15, 2024.
Q5. How are changes identified in the Checklist?
A5. All updated content is highlighted for easy identification. The updated version of the Checklist can be accessed here.
Q6. What is the NCAA Concussion Protocol Template and why was it created?
A6. To facilitate and support member compliance with concussion legislation, CSMAS approved a Concussion Safety Protocol Template (available to all schools) that addresses all components of the Checklist. The Template is available for download and allows schools to individualize certain areas of the document and to otherwise modify the Template to accommodate and reflect individual needs and practices.
Q7. Does the Template reflect the most recent Checklist updates?
A7. Yes. The Template is revised to reflect the most recent changes to the Checklist. All updated content is highlighted for easy identification.
Q8. Are schools still required to submit their concussion safety protocols to the NCAA?
A8. Schools are no longer required to submit their concussion safety protocols to the NCAA Concussion Safety Protocol Committee. Specifically, the NCAA Division I Council waived the requirement (NCAA Division I Bylaw 20.2.4.20.1), which will be formally removed from legislation when NCAA Division I Proposal 2023-19 (holistic model for student-athletes) becomes effective on August 1, 2024. The waiver and related legislation are reflective of the membership’s belief that Division I schools now have access to tools and resources that assist their compliance with applicable concussion protocol management legislation such that the annual protocol submission process is not necessary to mitigate concussion-related risk to their student-athletes.
Q9. While it is no longer required to submit a school’s concussion safety protocol, can a school still submit its updated protocol to the Concussion Safety Protocol Committee for review and feedback?
A9. No. However, specific questions about the Checklist or the recent updates may be submitted to ssi@ncaa.org.
Q10. Are there other legislative and policy requirements related to concussion management that schools should be aware of?
A10. Yes. Schools in all three divisions are required to comply with the Interassociation Recommendations: Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death in Collegiate Athletes, which contain content specific to concussion management, were unanimously endorsed by the NCAA Board of Governors and announced as Association-wide policy under the Uniform Standard of Care Procedures in the summer of 2019. The NCAA has published guidance regarding Medical Care and Coverage for Student-Athletes at Away Events and a corresponding Frequently Asked Questions document that contain additional information that may be helpful to schools as they review and implement Checklist changes and corresponding catastrophic emergency action plans.
Q11. Who is responsible for assuring the implementation of applicable concussion management updates at my school?
A11. Independent Medical Care legislation in all three divisions requires the designation of an Athletics Health Care Administrator who independently oversees the administration and delivery of athletics health care on behalf of the school. Additionally, the creation and implementation of necessary concussion management changes may require input from a variety of institutional medical and other personnel.
Q12. How does the Checklist and other legislative and policy requirements relate to the certification requirement arising from the Arrington settlement?
A12. While many of the member obligations in Section IX.A of the Settlement Agreement are similar to or overlap with certain existing NCAA health and safety legislation, policies and guidance materials, each set of obligations is distinct from and, in some instances, different from the other. Compliance with one set of obligations should not be deemed to automatically or entirely satisfy compliance with the other. Therefore, it is important to consult with school legal counsel and other risk management staff as necessary to fully understand these differences and to evaluate your institutional practices and compliance with respect to the member obligations as they relate to the Arrington matter and applicable NCAA legislation, policy and guidance. Additional detailed information about institutional obligations related to the Arrington matter, and the differences between those and NCAA legislative requirements, has been provided to all member schools by email in the form of two Frequently Asked Questions documents, which can be found here.
Q13. Is there a specific Compliance Certification Form that the AHCA needs to use for concussion management plan review and retention purposes?
A13. No. However, to facilitate and support schools’ efforts in this process the NCAA has developed a standard Compliance Certification Form found in the Protocol Template. AHCAs may elect to print, sign and keep the form on file in their office along with   a current copy of the concussion safety protocol and other concussion management materials.
Q14. Where can additional questions be submitted?
A14. Questions not covered in this FAQ can be send to the Sport Science Institute at: ssi@ncaa.org.
