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TCC Athletics Concussion Protocol

Tallahassee Community College Athletics strives to provide the best possible care for its student-athletes. This includes the implementation of cutting-edge technology in the area of concussion treatment.

TCC’s student-athletes are screened and treated through ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), the first, most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.

All first-time TCC student-athletes are required to take the computer-based ImPACT baseline test. Those results are saved and, in the event the student-athlete is suspected of having a head or neck injury, he/she will retake the test. The results of the subsequent test must reach normative values as compared to the baseline before being cleared to return to practice or competition.

Concussion Recommendations

  • All student-athletes will receive a preseason baseline neuro-cognitive  status assessment (ImPACT) 
  • Coaches who suspect that a student-athlete has a concussion should report it to the head athletic trainer
  • Suspected concussions during events or practice situations should be assessed  by the head athletic trainer
  • Any incident that requires a student-athlete to be removed from practice or games, those that are symptomatic should be referred to the appropriate healthcare professional (i.e., physician)
  • TCC’s head athletic trainer, is a trained ImPACT consultant and can therefore assist with determining a student-athlete’s status via ImPACT

Subjective symptoms of a head injury may include but not limited to: 

  • Headache
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • ringing in the ears
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Feeling sluggish
  • Feeling foggy or groggy
  • Concentration or memory issues
  • Confusion

Observable Symptoms may include but are not limited to: 

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Appears dazed or stunned
  • Appears confused
  • Forgets plays
  • Unsure of the game or score
  • Moves clumsily
  • Answers questions slowly
  • Demonstrates behavioral or personality changes
  • Can’t recall events prior to or after injury

The subsequent guidelines have been developed using the following resources: 

  1. Center for Disease Control- Heads Up High School Guidelines
  2. National Federation of State High School Associations
  3. Florida High School Athletic Association
  4. National Athletic Trainer’s Association
  5. National Colligate Athletics’ Association
  6. ImPACT Concussion Guidelines
  7. Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic Physicians – Dr. Hector Mejia, Dr, Scott Burkhart Neuropsychologists, Dr. Gregg Alexander, Dr. Kris Stowers, Dr. Andrew Wong