Fast Break
High schools
State passes concussion law
Zackery Lystedt’s cause has become Washington law.
The state now has what advocates say is the nation’s toughest law regulating when high school athletes can return to games after having sustained a concussion. The legislation signed Thursday in Olympia by Gov. Chris Gregoire prohibits athletes under 18, who are suspected of sustaining a concussion, from returning to play without a licensed health care provider’s written approval.
It is named after a 16-year-old in Maple Valley who suffered a life-threatening brain injury in 2006 after he returned to play football following a concussion.
“It’s the first of its kind in the country which mandates that youth athletes who sustain a concussion cannot come back to play without the written consent of a doctor or provider,” said Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, whom Lystedt’s family contacted for help.
“When in doubt, the player has to come out.”
The law also requires each of the state’s school districts to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to develop a standard for educating coaches, players and parents on the dangers of concussions and head injuries.
Victor Lystedt, Zackery’s father, sought his state representative’s help after his son sustained a concussion while making a tackle in a middle-school game on Oct. 12, 2006. After sitting out for a while, Zackery returned in the fourth quarter. He collapsed after the game and had to have two emergency brain surgeries.
He remains dependent on a wheelchair and on 24-hour care. He and his father testified in Olympia during a hearing on the bill a few months ago.
Basketball
Bone completes his staff
Washington State has named Jared Barrett as director of men’s basketball operations and Tim Marrion as coordinator of basketball operations to complete the staff of new coach Ken Bone.
Bone said Thursday’s additions bring summer camp and recruiting experience to the Cougars.
Barrett has been an assistant at Utah Valley University the last two seasons, after six seasons as an assistant at Sacramento State. He began his college playing career at Olympic College in Bremerton about a dozen years ago, then played and later coached at Eastern Oregon.
Marrion graduated from Washington State in 2006. As a student at WSU, Marrion served as a student assistant for the men’s basketball program for three seasons under head Dick Bennett. He then spent three seasons as an assistant at San Jose State.
The native of Nottingham, England, lived in Australia for six years. He graduated from St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif., in 2003.
Football
Shock make roster moves
The Shock placed wide receiver Patrick Bugg and defensive back Damon Jenkins on injured reserve while activating defensive lineman Frank Morton. Defensive lineman Jonal Saint-Dic has been placed on re-assignment.
Morton, who was originally signed in October, will be eligible to play this weekend as the Shock travel to Florida to take on the Firecats Saturday.