Charity wants more done for injured student athletes
Updated: November 21, 2012
TOLONO -- Injuries are literally a part of the game in sports, but one charity says the IHSA isn't doing enough to help student athletes who get hurt. It hopes fans can chip in too.
Gridiron Alliance is a non-profit that helps student athletes who were paralyzed on the playing field. It wants the IHSA to start a fund to help those athletes in particular those who don't have insurance.
The group feels this weekend's state tournament would be the perfect place to kick things off. High school football is one of the most popular and most dangerous sports a teen can participate in. Helmets clash together, bodies hit the ground, but the hope is they'll use the right technique to avoid getting hurt.
"It's a sad part of the game, but it's one that you got to work year round to avoid," said Rick Reinhart.
He's head football coach at Tuscola high school. He also has a nephew who plays down the road at Unity High School.
"I know we take great pride in getting our kids ready and strengthen the neck muscles, getting them in great shape, but you never know it could happen," he said.
When a catastrophic injury does happen, organizations like Gridiron Alliance are there to help heal. Now it just wants the IHSA to pitch in.
The group, along with Governor Quinn's Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Commission, is asking the IHSA to put a surcharge on tickets and concessions at state tournaments, just like the one happening in a few days at Memorial Stadium. That fee would go to a fund to covers players hurt anywhere from practice to the playing field.
"It's a big venue so people don't mind paying a little bit more and concessions go towards that," said Reinhart. "The expenses for taking care of someone who can't take care of themselves, it's a lifelong thing."
Something the coach unfortunately knows all too well.
"I had a cousin who had a serious neck injury so I've had a lot of personal contact with that so, anytime we can get these kids the best care money should not be an object so I'm all for it."
At this time, the IHSA had no comment in response to Gridiron Alliance's formal complaint.
Gridiron Alliance is a non-profit that helps student athletes who were paralyzed on the playing field. It wants the IHSA to start a fund to help those athletes in particular those who don't have insurance.
The group feels this weekend's state tournament would be the perfect place to kick things off. High school football is one of the most popular and most dangerous sports a teen can participate in. Helmets clash together, bodies hit the ground, but the hope is they'll use the right technique to avoid getting hurt.
"It's a sad part of the game, but it's one that you got to work year round to avoid," said Rick Reinhart.
He's head football coach at Tuscola high school. He also has a nephew who plays down the road at Unity High School.
"I know we take great pride in getting our kids ready and strengthen the neck muscles, getting them in great shape, but you never know it could happen," he said.
When a catastrophic injury does happen, organizations like Gridiron Alliance are there to help heal. Now it just wants the IHSA to pitch in.
The group, along with Governor Quinn's Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Commission, is asking the IHSA to put a surcharge on tickets and concessions at state tournaments, just like the one happening in a few days at Memorial Stadium. That fee would go to a fund to covers players hurt anywhere from practice to the playing field.
"It's a big venue so people don't mind paying a little bit more and concessions go towards that," said Reinhart. "The expenses for taking care of someone who can't take care of themselves, it's a lifelong thing."
Something the coach unfortunately knows all too well.
"I had a cousin who had a serious neck injury so I've had a lot of personal contact with that so, anytime we can get these kids the best care money should not be an object so I'm all for it."
At this time, the IHSA had no comment in response to Gridiron Alliance's formal complaint.
