Sara Stadem | Editor

It’s that time of year again. The summer is winding down, school supply shopping is under way and fall sports practices are about to begin. That means it’s time for most athletes to get their physicals.
Who needs a physical?
According to the Tri-Valley Athletic Director Derik Fossum, students in grades 7-12 need a physical form completed with a doctor in order to participate in Tri-Valley athletics.
For athletes at West Central School District, students grades 7-12 that are wanting to compete in school sponsored athletics much complete a physical, according to Athletic Director Andrea Johnson. This physical would need to be completed by a licensed physician or physician assistant.
Fossum explained all Tri-Valley information for physicals and athletic registration can be found on the Tri-Valley school’s home web page which is https://www.tri-valley.k12.sd.us.
There are three ways to receive the physical forms for the West Central athletes:

  • Printed packets can be picked up in three locations; the high school office, the middle school office or the admin office,
  • Packets can be printed from the school’s website. The forms are located under the “Activities” tab, or
  • The West Central School has delivered several packets to the Sanford Clinic in Hartford.
    Part of the physical packet is the Health History form, according to Johnson, which should be completed by the parent prior to being seen by the physician.
    Both Fossum and Johnson confirmed physicals must be completed for athletes prior to the first day of practice in order to participate. For Tri-Valley, this also includes the sports registration which needs to be completed, according to Fossum. Johnson also explained for West Central the physical forms, including the health history, must be handed in to the respective coach or the school office prior to the first day of practice.
    Who needs a concussion test?
    Fossum explained at Tri-Valley, concussion tests depend on the sport. “Concussion testing depends upon the sport, but for contact sports the baseline tests are done prior to participating in practice,” Fossum said.
    The concussion tests are done at the Tri-Valley school and are coordinated by their athletic trainer.
    Although West Central does not require concussion testing for students to participate in athletics, Johnson said it is highly suggested. “Our concussion testing protocol is not required for any participant. However, it is highly suggested for students in grades seven, eight, nine and eleven,” Johnson said.
    Johnson explained the Athletic Trainer Chad Morrison and herself are working on scheduling times for students to conduct said baseline testing and information will be sent out to athletes and parents as soon as details are finalized.
    Both schools specified the importance of the concussion testing, even if it’s not required.

“This testing provides a baseline for our Athletic Trainer Chad Morrison, so that if the student sustains a head injury throughout the year, he has valid information to help treat the student,” Johnson said. She concluded, “Both the physicals and the concussion testing aid West Central in providing optimal athletic training services for all of our athletes.”
Fossum said, “Completing the baseline concussion test gives our Athletic Trainer information on how our students function when healthy.” He continued, “Having this data will help medical staff determine what is most appropriate for rest and recovery to ensure the health and safety of the individual student.”
West Central’s information with regards to physicals has been included in the Fall Newsletter and each sport will be hosting their own parent meeting to go over the information.
Tri-Valley will be hosting their fall sports parent meeting on August 10 in the school commons in order to provide more information pertaining to their fall sports. High school parents will meet at 7 pm and junior high parents will meet at 7:30 pm.