Athletics Veritas is a weekly series aimed at helping higher education executives, faculty, and other stakeholders stay tuned in on trending national issues impacting college athletics, especially NCAA Division I. Athletics Veritas is created by senior DI athletic administrators around the nation.
Term-In-Ology: Sports Safety Certified Staff Members Present for Countable, Physical Activity
Although COVID-19 and the corresponding health and testing protocols are top of mind for coaches and student-athletes readying for their spring 2021 playing seasons, it should be noted that NCAA rules require an individual with certain health and safety certifications to be present during countable, physical activity.
An institutional staff member with current certification in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use must be present any time a student-athlete participates in a physical, countable athletically related activity. Generally, this provision is covered by the presence of athletics trainers or strength coaches with these certifications present at practices, training, or lifts and sometimes supplemented by the presence of coaches, life guards, or sport performance staff who also hold these certifications.
Athletics Veritas is presented for information purposes only and should not be considered advice or counsel on NCAA compliance matters. For guidance on NCAA rules and processes, always consult your university’s athletics compliance office, conference office, and/or the NCAA.
