White County Athletic Department Increases Medical Training Frequency Based On New Law

White County School coaches are ahead of the curve on a new Tennessee law requiring background checks, specialized training in sudden cardiac arrest and CPR, and testing student athletes for concussions.

Athletic Director Terry Crain said the district already provided medical training to coaches as recommended by the American Heart Association. Crain said the training included CPR, AED use, and annual concussion testing for all athletes.

Crain said increasing the training frequency to yearly should improve emergency readiness, but the district was ahead of the game when it came to coaches’ medical training.

“We also do emergency action plans,” Crain said. “Our trainer does emergency action plans with each one of our coaches. What they do is they go over a plan as to if something happens, who’s going to call 911, who’s going to go meet the ambulance, who’s going to go get the AED.”

Crain said he sees the new law as a plus for all schools. Crain said White County Schools had taken the initiative several years ago to require concussion testing for athletes.

Another requirement of the new law is background checks for all coaches. Crain said this requirement is redundant for White County Schools.

“For years we have done background checks,” Crain said. “Our coaches, our staff, they have to be approved by the School Board. And before they are considered by the board they are required to go through a background check including getting their fingerprints done.”

Crain said whether you are a drill team coach, a cheer coach, a full-time coach, a teacher who also coaches or a volunteer coach the same rules apply.