Record temps urge community leaders to promote sports safety education

As Alabama sees record high temperatures this week, fall sports training begins and volunteer coaches hit the playing fields nationally, sports safety continues to be a primary concern for Hoover officials and others in the city.

On Wednesday, Mayor Gary Ivey joined a panel of other local officials and experts to recognize safety as an essential part of their sports programs and share their approach to raising the safety standards within their communities by working with the National Center for Sports Safety.

The founder of the National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS), Dr. Larry Lemak, provided relevant sports safety tips as summer practices begin for the upcoming fall season.

“When I founded the NCSS 14 years ago, I saw a large percentage of sports injuries that could have been prevented with coach’s education,” Lemak said. “This led to the development of the PREPARE Sports Safety Course in 2004, which has been perfected and used by tens of thousands of coaches across the nation.”

Mayor Gary Ivey said building a strong, safe city starts with providing youth and their families safe, community-based activities.

"Hoover is no stranger to creating a safer playing environment. Since 2010 Hoover has mandated all its youth volunteer coaches take the PREPARE Sports Safety Training from the National Center for Sports Safety," said Ivey. "This year, Hoover will have nearly 900 coaches go through further sports safety programs that will make our community safer."

At Wednesday's press conference, Ivey said that Hoover City Council and the public safety department have been supportive of the safety programs. He assured those in attendance that they "won't be disappointed with these programs."

"These kids are the backbone of our cities. I grew up in Jasper, and we didn’t have much care there," Ivey explained.   

Call 329-7535 or 1-866-508-NCSS for more information about the National Center for Sports Safety.