In response to the August 18-24, 2011 The New Times article, Knocked Out by Mr. Steve Jansen and Mr. Gus Garcia-Roberts, there were several inaccuracies that I have been asked to clarify on behalf of the AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and the AIA Executive Board.

1. Page 18-Assertion that Senate Bill 1521 made it possible for the Mayo Clinic to provide baseline testing is simply not true. The Mayo Clinic, Impact and other entities wishing to provide baseline testing online or via paper testing have been available for over a decade. SB 1521 has nothing to do with neuropsychological baseline testing for concussion.
2. Page 23- Dr. Steve Hogen’s quote that “it put an impossible burden on us that we had to make sure that all Pop Warner football kids were tested. That’s impossible. We can’t do that. What if an out-of –state group had come in and they didn’t have the testing? We wouldn’t have the resources to check.” Indeed, as Dr. Hogen was involved in the initial drafting of the bill he is correct that the bill was amended and does not place a burden on AIA member schools with regard to Pop Warner and the use of a public schools fields with regard to out-of –state programs, however, the fact is that Arizona public schools under 1521 must ensure that any AZ based youth activity (not just Pop Warner) using their facilities comply with the requirements of the law; including educating students and parents, youth sports organizations have a return to play protocol, and qualified medical professionals on hand to return youth athletes back in to play (practice and games). In addition, baseline testing was not part of the bill when presented to the House and Senate Education Committees.
3. Page 20- Dr. Steve Hogen, “this concussion testing”, is referencing baseline testing. Under 1521, there is no mandate for baseline concussion testing in any case, high school or youth sports. The Arizona Sports Concussion Coalition and AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee position in the drafting of the bill was adopted and that is such testing is a tool to be utilized by a qualified professional but not a mandate. Baseline testing is not reflected in 1521 at all.
4. Page 20 – Assertion that AIA threatened to sue the Mayo Clinic is simply not true. The AIA distributed a communication to its membership, in June following a the awareness of a release sent out by The Mayo Clinic, stating that the Mayo Clinic press release was not correct and that no such relationship or endorsement existed (see point 3).  The AIA was not consulted prior to the Mayo press release in June and there has never been a current, recent or prior relationship between Mayo and the AIA.

It is unfortunate that so many inaccuracies have been disseminated by school administrators, outside entities and members of the press. The AIA has indeed done the following:

1. August 2010 – Mandated concussion education for all AIA coaches and officials.
2. Fall 2010 – Mandated all students and parents sign awareness as to the symptoms and responses to concussion.
3. Fall of 2010 – signing of bill –cooperated with the AZ Cardinals, The Arizona Sports Concussion Coalition, the AIA Sports Medicine Advisor y Committee and Senator Crandall in the final drafting of SB 1521 mirroring the policy that was being put in place in the AIA Bylaws.
4. January 2011 – April 2011 – AIA Executive Board adopted policies related to concussion education as proposed y the AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
5. Education module was approved and mandated by the AIA Executive Board in the August 15, 2011 meeting.
6. AIA participates with the Cardinals, NFL and Barrows B.R.A.I.N.S Clinic on August 16, 2011 press conference announcing historic student education initiative in compliance with 1521. Making it easy for schools to monitor education of students on concussion awareness.

In the attempt to create an understanding as to the implications of 1521 and the AIA’s position, The New Times did not speak to anyone at the AIA or a member of the AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.  In addition, the work of the Arizona Sports Concussion Coalition continues with the AIA as a member of this important entity in providing awareness and in disseminating information related to the most up to date research and data related to concussions. For information on concussions and/or 1521, I recommend that you contact Ms. Mattie Cummins, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association.