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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: coachschey@gmail.com on July 22, 2019, 04:42:13 PM
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Hi, all I coach in Illinois and I have a Freshman that has an Insulin pump and mom just contacted me about this and was talking about an IHSA form to allow the student to wear this during the game. I have looked around on the web but could not find anything about a form..I thought that I would have to tell the Refs at the start of the game?? So I decided to see what you all say before I talk with mom on Tue. AM.
I am so glad I have found this site I learn so much here form a coaches perspective, and I want to thank all of you for doing one of the hardest jobs in sports dealing with high school football coaches!!
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Hi Coach. I’m aware of rules related to eye shields and artificial limbs, but have never seen one dealing with an insulin pump. I’d encourage you to contact the state directly and get them to weigh in on this one.
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I agree with FLAHL. You need to get the state to make a statement. Otherwise, it’s left up to the ref discretion under 1-1-6. The WH has authority to rule in the spirit of good sportsmanship on any issue not addressed in the rules.
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Also agree here that the state should take a position on this, but I would first think that a detailed "note" from the responsible physician should be in hand acknowledging the intent to play tackle football and containing some clear form of "it's OK". There are several types of insulin pumps that I have seen but as far as I know they are all worn outside the body with a connected "permanent" catheter located somewhere in the midsection area. From the ones I have seen I can't quite picture safely playing tackle football with one in place.
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Welcome, Coach Schey, to our forum. May you find it both informational and interesting. We enjoy hearing from a coaches perspective, so please feel free to chime in. I agree with the other posters that you should start by contacting your state office as to could a player wearing an insulin pump be allowed to play. I'm sure that you don't want to be the "bad guy" here and say no, but if the state should prohibit it then you won't be. Try to get your state office's decision in writing or at least the name and authority of the person that you talk to. I'm sure that ,at minimum, they would require a letter from the boy's doctor stating that playing contact football with the pump attached is both safe for the player and his opponent. Be sure to keep this well documented.
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I agree with FLAHL. You need to get the state to make a statement. Otherwise, it’s left up to the ref discretion under 1-1-6. The WH has authority to rule in the spirit of good sportsmanship on any issue not addressed in the rules.
That is the case in GA and per the Section under "State Association Adoptions". Your state should give you a written decision that can be shown to the officiating crew before each game if it is approved.