Classical vice principal Dennis Thompson informs parents and student-athletes about the seriousness of concussions and the Lynn school system's new concussion awareness program, during a meeting at the Classical auditorium on Tuesday. (Item Photo / Angela Owens)

 Published on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 By Joyce Erekson / The Daily Item

Sports-related concussions aren't new, but the way coaches, parents and athletes deal with them has undergone a major overhaul.

On Tuesday night, all three Lynn public high schools held a meeting for the parents of student-athletes and high on the list of topics addressed was the implementation of the MIAA's new concussion policy and the added safeguards the Lynn public schools have put in place.

At Classical High, principal Eugene Constantino, athletic director Bill Devin and new vice principal Dennis Thompson spoke to the parents. Thompson became involved in the concussion program development during the previous school year in his capacity as the assistant director of curriculum and instruction, health and physical education.

"It came together fast," Thompson said about the process of coming up with a program and implementing it. "It's a great feeling knowing we, from the superintendent on down, are protecting our student-athletes. We're giving them the equipment (the city purchased top-of-the-line Riddell football helmets for all three schools) they need."

At English, the meeting was conducted by athletic director Gary Molea and trainer Mario Fernandez. Part of all the presentations involved explaining to parents how their children had been given baseline memory tests on the computer. The student in question would retake the test post-concussion to determine if there are any changes.

"If there's a difference," Molea said, "no athlete will be allowed back onto the field until the results are in line with the baseline test, and we have a doctor's note that signifies that the athlete is ready to come back."

At Tech, newly appointed athletic director Joe Skeadas said the meeting, held in a "jam-packed" Tigers' Den, went very well.

"It was a better turnout than I expected," Skeadas said.

Tech students were administered the Impact computer test before the end of the school year last year. The freshmen have been taking it this fall along with anyone who missed it last spring. Skeadas said the forms the parents filled out detailing their child's concussion history will be put in binders and coaches will have them at the games.

"I think it's important that parents learn these things," said Mike Dwyer, whose son plays football at English. "A lot of people aren't that well educated about concussions. I think this is long overdue. And kudos to (Superintendent) Cathy Latham for getting those helmets."

"I think (the session) is informative," said parent Monica Harris, whose son also plays football at English. "I think it's important that parents are made aware of the seriousness of concussions."

"You hear about tragedies all over the country," English assistant athletic director Dick Newton said, "and we're just trying to prevent the same things from happening here. Parents should be happy about how much the administrators in Lynn care about their children."

Devin, who has four sons who play hockey, is no stranger to concussions. His oldest son, Kyle, who is a junior at Classical, suffered one back in middle school. Devin said at the time, his son didn't show any symptoms, but the following day he had a severe headache and was throwing up. He was checked out at the hospital and ended up missing two or three weeks of the season.

Thompson said one of the mindsets that has to be changed when it comes to dealing with concussions is that it's a sign of weakness when a player experiencing symptoms removes himself from play. He said the fact the NFL and the NHL have taken the issue of concussions so seriously has helped change that perception.

Constantino said he was very pleased with the turnout last night. Those parents who didn't attend will have to come into the school at some point to watch the videotape of the meeting in order for their children to continue participating in a sport.

Those who spoke on the concussion issue stressed to parents that they play a big role keeping their children safe. Parents received a handout listing symptoms to look for if their child has sustained a head injury, such as appearing dazed or stunned, being confused about position or assignment, being unsure of the game score, moving clumsily, answering questions slowly, mood or behavior swings, and not being able to recall events prior to or after the impact.

The list of symptoms the athlete might report that should not be ignored includes such things as a headache, vomiting, balance problems, vision problems, sensitivity to light, memory loss or confusion.

Item sports editor Steve Krause also contributed to this report.