MASON CLUB SPORTS THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 2023-24

As we kick off the new semester, we want to encourage you all to join us in sharing your achievements, experiences, and support for one another on social media. By highlighting your accomplishments and showcasing the camaraderie within our club sport community, we can inspire and uplift each other.

We invite you to follow our official club sport social media accounts and tag us in your posts. Let's use hashtags like #MasonClubSports and #GoPatriots to create a unified online presence. By sharing your stories, photos, and videos, you not only celebrate your own successes but also contribute to the greater sense of belonging and pride within our program.

Together, let's make this semester one to remember by sharing our passion for club sports on social media. We look forward to seeing your incredible moments and cheering each other on as we strive for excellence both on and off the field.

PLEASE LIKE, FOLLOW, AND SHARE

• @masonclubsports on Instagram
• @gmuclubsports on Twitter

ANNUAL SPORTS PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

All club members are required to have an annual sports physical completed by a qualified medical professional. Physicals are valid for 365 days from the date of completion.

Physicals must be submitted to the athletic trainer within 3-weeks of first involvement with the club or their first competition; whatever comes first. Participants of high-impact clubs are required to have a physical on file prior to any participation in activities involving contact.

Students anticipating playing club sports are highly encouraged to have a physical completed during the summer months by their primary care physician.

Mason Recreation will attempt to offer a few dates/times each semester for club sport participants to have pre-participation physicals completed FREE of charge. Space will be limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Completed physicals must be received by the club sports athletic trainer no later than 3PM on the Wednesday prior to any competition. This deadline is in place to ensure the athletic training staff has time to review and process your physical prior to your competition. Participants that turn in their physical after the deadline will be ineligible to compete that weekend.

MEDICAL/HEALTH INSUARNCE REQUIREMENT

Mason Recreation does not provide medical/health insurance for our club sport athletes. All participants in the Club Sports program are required to maintain medical insurance throughout the duration of their Club Sports participation.

Mason Recreation is dedicated and committed to providing excellent healthcare to all club sport participants. Concussions are serious medical conditions that must be managed properly. To keep a patient from further harm or damage after a concussion, it is imperative that the participant communicate all symptoms to the athletic trainer. It is also important for other teammates and coaches to spot abnormal behavior and concussion symptoms and report them to the athletic trainer immediately. Hiding or continuing to play while concussed can prolong recovery time, cause further damage to the brain, or lead to serious harm or death.

PLEASE WATCH THE NCAA CONCUSSION EDUCATION VIDEO BELOW

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?

A concussion is a brain injury that:

• Is caused by a blow to the head or body.– From contact with another player, hitting a hard surface such as the ground, ice or floor, or being hit by a piece of equipment such as a bat, lacrosse stick or field hockey ball
• Can change the way your brain normally works
• Can range from mild to severe
• Presents itself differently for each athlete
• Can occur during practice or competition in ANY sport
• Can happen even if you do not lose consciousness.

Concussion is an injury that affects the brain following direct or indirect forces to the head. The disturbance of normal brain function is related to a change in the chemical processes of the brain rather than an injury to the actual structure of the brain. The chemical disturbance does not show up during neuroimaging (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.), which is one of the reasons CT scans, or other neuroimaging studies, are not always completed, or necessary, following concussion.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?

You can’t see a concussion, but you might notice some of the symptoms right away. Other symptoms can show up hours or days after the injury. Concussion symptoms include:

• Amnesia
• Confusion
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or fuzzy vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Nausea (feeling that you might vomit).
• Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy
• Feeling unusually irritable
• Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays, facts, meeting times)
• Slowed reaction time.

Exercise or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to reappear or get worse.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE A CONCUSSION?

Don’t hide it.

Tell your athletic trainer and coach. Never ignore a blow to the head. Also, tell your athletic trainer and coach if one of your teammates might have a concussion. Sports have injury timeouts and player substitutions so that you can get checked out.

Report it & remove from play.

Do not return to participation in a game, practice or other activity with symptoms. The sooner you get checked out, the sooner you may be able to return to play.

Get checked out.

Your team physician, athletic trainer, or health care professional can tell you if you have had a concussion and when you are cleared to return to play. A concussion can affect your ability to perform everyday activities, your reaction time, balance, sleep and classroom performance.

Take time to recover.

If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a repeat concussion. In rare cases, repeat concussions can cause permanent brain damage, and even death. Severe brain injury can change your whole life.

MASON CLUB SPORTS RETRUN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

STEP 1: REMOVE

Participants displaying concussion-like symptoms or having sustained a suspected concussion MUST be removed from play immediately. Participants may not return to play until they have been evaluated by an athletic trainer or other qualified medical professional.

STEP 2: REPORT:

Schedule a follow-up assessment with a Mason Recreation athletic trainer within 24-72 hours. *There is no fee for this follow-up assessment

STEP 3: CLEARANCE

Obtain written medical clearance from a qualified health care provider stating you are eligible to return to play. Please use the document provided on the concussion page of the Club Sports website. Completed forms MUST be submitted to the Competitive Sports Office at the RAC, faxed to (703) 993-2510 or dropped off in the Club Sports mailbox in the RAC lobby.

STEP 4: VERIFICATION

Participants may not return to play until you have received a confirmation email from the Competitive Sports Office stating we have received your paperwork and you are cleared to return to play.

**Please contact the Athletic Trainer if you have any questions or concerns regarding the return to play or classroom process: jtolson2@gmu.edu

WHAT IS A SAFETY OFFICER?

Due to the physical element of sports, all clubs are required to have at least two active Safety Officers.

Clubs are required to have at least one Safety Officer at all practices and competitions. These certified members can provide care during practices, events, or travel emergencies. Safety Officers have been certified in CPR/AED/First Aid, blood borne pathogens, and university emergency action plans. Safety Officer's should have a first-aid kit with them at all practices and competitions.

Individuals traveling in personal vehicles for Club Sports purposes understand they do so at their own risk.

Passengers must be aware that by choosing to travel in personal vehicles, they assume responsibility for their own safety during the journey.

Drivers must also be aware that by offering transportation in their personal vehicles, they take on the responsibility for the safety of those traveling with them.

George Mason University is not liable for any costs as a result of an accident, including injury and property damage, incurred during the travel to club activities. Therefore, both the driver and owner of the vehicle should understand that taking personal vehicles exposes them to personal liability as a result of an accident.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring they are properly insured and maintain a valid driver's license at all times. It is essential for all individuals involved to exercise due caution and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable club experience.

Remember, by following safe driving practices, being mindful of potential risks, and avoiding distractions, we can ensure a safer environment for everyone involved.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

In the unfortunate event of an accident involving a personal vehicle, it is essential to follow the appropriate procedures:

Assist Injured Individuals and Emergency Services: If anyone is injured in the accident, the driver should immediately provide assistance and call for an ambulance if needed.

Contact the Relevant Authorities: While at the accident scene, the driver should notify the appropriate authorities.

• Off-campus accidents should be reported to the State Police at 911
• On-campus accidents should be reported to George Mason Police at 703-993-2810

Follow Personal Vehicle Insurance Reporting Procedure: Adhere to the accident reporting procedure outlined in your personal vehicle insurance policy.

Notify Club Sport Administrator: Inform your club sport administrator about the accident, providing necessary details and any relevant documentation.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Mason Club Sports has the following travel restrictions in place to ensure the safety of those traveling:

• No driver shall drive for more than two hours without a break of at least 15 minutes.
• Meals and lodging should be along the most direct route between designated sites, and ad hoc side trips should be avoided.
• Clubs must plan to travel in groups and refrain from departing at different times.
• All passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times.
• Only approved club members, coaches, or volunteers listed on the travel itinerary and who have completed necessary paperwork are permitted to travel with a club.

Failure to abide by the responsibilities outlined above may invalidate the Catastrophic Insurance Policy purchased by the university for all individuals involved in travel.

SAFE DRIVING TIPS

• Clubs should avoid driving in inclement weather or hazardous road conditions.
• Have a detailed map of the destination area, including competition sites, and consider using a GPS.
• Ensure vehicles are properly maintained before club-related travel, including checking tire pressure, brakes, lights, and fluids.
• Have an emergency plan for the competition site and knowledge of nearby hospitals/urgent care facilities.
• Maintain contact information for the competition hosts and emergency contact information for all traveling members.

To comply with Policy #1120 “Weapons on Campus,” Mason Recreation has worked closely with Mason Police to coordinate a secure on-campus storage option for members of the Trap & Skeet and Archery clubs.

Clubs utilizing weapons in their sport are required to exercise special caution when transporting and storing them on-campus. Members of Archery, Fencing, and Trap & Skeet may not keep weapons in their vehicles or in on-campus residencies. Weapon sports should coordinate with their club sport administrator to review policies and complete any required documentation at the beginning of the year.

Members of the fencing club have storage options available at the RAC. Swords may not be kept in on-campus housing locations.

STUDENT SUPPORT & ADVOCACY CENTER (SSAC)

The Student Support and Advocacy Center assists students who are encountering a life crisis or significant barriers that impact their academic and personal success and/or overall functioning. Our goal through individual consultations is to best understand the student’s situation, answer questions, provide guidance, and make connections to appropriate on and off-campus resources.

SSAC offers support services that may assist students with:

• Financial Well-Being
• Patriot Pantry - Food Insecurity
• Recovery Resources
• Respondent Services - Title IX
• Stay Mason - Emergency Financial Assistance
• Substance Abuse
• Survivor Support

SSAC is a valuable resource for Mason students. As a club member or coach, you may make a referral for a student you may have concerns about. Please us the link above to learn more about what SSAC has to offer.

TIMELY CARE

Mason students now have FREE access to TimelyCare – a virtual mental health and well-being platform crafted specifically for college students!

With TimelyCare, Mason students will have access to a multitude of virtual mental health and well-being resources that are free and available 24/7. Find out more about the resources available online at Timelycare.com/gmu or Download the app.

MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Call 911 for mental health or medical emergency.

Protocol After Hours Service via CAPS: 703-993-2380 (follow prompts)

Crisis Text Line: Text 741741

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255