Center aims to reduce youth concussion risks

Posted by Press Release on April 14, 2015

The Jefferson Comprehensive Concussion Center (JCCC), a collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, and Wills Eye Hospital, has partnered with the Brandywine Youth Club (BYC) in an effort to raise awareness and educate young athletes on the dangers of concussion.

The JCCC will provide free education and ImPACT baseline testing to all 3000 of BYC’s athletes. The partnership is designed to promote comprehensive, proactive concussion care and education to the student/athlete, parent, coach and community, a press release said.

“While coaching this year, I made it mandatory for my girls’ soccer team players and parents to become aware of concussion and the impact it could have on them,” Linda Mazzoli, JCCC director, BYC soccer coach, and mother of three BYC athletes, said in the release. “We provided educational opportunities and access to ImPACT testing prior to them starting the season. It was then that I realized that not only my team, but all of the children and parents should have access to this level of education and awareness.”

Dave Wrzesniewski, the player/parent representative for BYC said the club and its board appreciate the opportunity to partner with the JCCC. “The program at Jefferson offers a comprehensive approach to the education, prevention and treatment of concussions,” he said. “BYC is focused on ensuring the safety of all of our athletes, especially when it comes to concussions. We’d like to thank the JCCC for this opportunity and their generous support.”

As part of the agreement, the JCCC will provide the following for the BYC community:

Basic education for parents and athletes of all levels, including concussion recognition, signs and symptoms, concussion avoidance and what to do when you suspect concussion.
Advanced education for coaches that will focus on coach accountability of understanding concussions, but also their role in removing athletes and returning athletes to play.
Baseline Screening Program for all athletes.

Additional educational opportunities for the club, which has served the youth of Chester Heights Borough, Bethel Township, Concord Township, Chadds Ford and Thornbury townships since 1955, will be available through in-person trainings and online webinars, the release said.