Describes the incidence of catastrophic head injuries within high school and college sports. Data from a national surveillance system indicated that a football-related fatality occurred every year except one from 1945-99, mainly related to head injuries. From 1984-99, 69 football head-related injuries resulted in permanent disability. Deaths and…

Data from the National Center for Sports Injury show that changes in rules and equipment have made interscholastic sports safer in recent decades, but the record for 1982-1997 shows that there is still room for improvement. The paper presents sport-specific considerations and examines several general safety recommendations that should be followed.…