SPORTS
Decembers, 2014
11
SPORTS EDITORIAL
Colleges cannot be
held accountable for
student concussions
BY AMOL GARG
Staff Writer
Student athletes risk their long-term health on the field
while at Guilford College for our entertainment.
"I think that it's more difficult to be a college football
player in this day and age than it is to be an NFL player
because of the amounts of hits," said the National
Basketball Player's Association Domonique Foxworth to
FlBO's Real Sports.
The possibility of detrimental injuries to the athletes'
health are always looming. One injury that can lead
to severe long-term health problems in the future are
concussions.
According to a study conducted by Sports Concussion
Institute, around 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur
each year. Out of those concussions, 5-10 percent will be
suffered by athletes.
Just one concussion can lead to long-term brain
damage.
Only recently did the NFL remove the $675 million
cap for concussion-related claims due to the increasing
number of lawsuits that state more could have been done
to prevent former athletes from experiencing effects of a
concussion later in life.
To address this problem, the NCAA required
institutions to have concussion management plans.
However, they set the plan guidelines in the most general
terms, while enforcement and consequences for not
abiding are extremely low.
Are you willing.tQ take^this risk? Probably not, but
student athletes ^e.
This raises an ethical dilemma. Are academic
institutions responsible for aiding these students when
they suffer the effects of the concussion later on in life?
"We need to very careful about what kind of equipment
and what kind of risk we put our students in," said
Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies Max Carter. "If a
college or university benefits financially jfrom the athletic
involvements in the sport then they bear responsibility."
This is essentially what the NCAA has required schools
like Guilford College to do — they must have effective
policies and precautions to address any concussions.
"In the years past institutions really had some
responsibility, but not now with all the education
and all the understanding about concussions and
their repercussions ... the athletes mostly assume the
responsibility," said head softball coach Dennis Shores.
Similar feelings are shared by non-athletes.
"What happens on the field happens on the field,"
said Early College junior Suemin Chung in an email
interview with The Guilfordian.
"There's no way the school could have prevented a
specific athlete from getting injured on the field."
Institutions cannot really be accountable for covering
expenses for former athletes as they assumed the risk
when they started playing the sport. Also, increased
protocols have raised precautions taken to make sure
concussions do not drastically affect an athlete later on.
"If the player gets a concussion while playing, and
the correct safety measures are taken and yet the player
still faces lasting health problems, I don't believe it's
up to the organization to take care of the player," said
Erica McCune, a soccer player in the Kemersville Soccer
Association.
Institutions should, however, offer proper treatment
for the athlete when they are injured and not pressure
them to play imtil they have fully recovered.
"I think this whole concussion thing is being blown a
little bit out of proportion," said assistant men's lacrosse
coach Nate Bates.
"We aren't forcing our kids to play the sport. They
are choosing to play. It's their choice. Just because
they go to school here at the time doesn't mean that
we are responsible."
"We aren't forcing our kids
to ploy the sport, they ore
choosing to ploy... Just because
they 00 to school here at the
time doesn't mean that we are
responsible."
Nate Bates, assistant men's
lacrosse coach
Growing skateboardir^ population
brings together sport, leisure and art
Cameron McDowell * 15 rides his longboard through the North Aparments as he practices different tricks looping around the path.
BY JULIET MAGdON '
Staff Writer
Whether you skateboard to cruise
or for tricks, skating is a form of artful
expression.
From a clioice in boards, clothes or
dvil disobedience, the history of skating
reflects its rebellious and multicultural
nature.
"Skateboarding is as much of a sport
as a lifestyle and an art form," said
former professional skateboarder Tony
Hawk in an interview with Bloomberg
TV. "There's so much that transcends
in terms of music, fashion and
entertainment."
Skateboarding at Guilford College
differs by the style of board and the
intent of each skater.
Influences in urban East Coast culture
and West Coast surf style intermingle,
creating one radical and unrestricted
category of athlete.
"Skateboarding permeates to every
subculture in society," said junior Nick
Nesbitt.
"There is no limited style about it.
Everyone does their own thing. The
culture of skating is important but is
becoming more diluted as skaters adopt
their own personal style. There is no way
. i,:.
of defining skate styled" '
As the motive of the skater changes,
so does the size and style of the board.
'The stereotypical skateboard is
mainly for tricks," said senior Matthew
Poling. "Since the wheels do not grip
as much and have a narrower build, the
rider can perform tricks easier."
Longboards are lower to the groimd
and lack the concave structure that
traditional skateboards possess,
allowing for more speed and slides.
Though boards may set skaters apart
in style, a mutual respect is shared.
This kinship stems from the similar
experiences shared when learning how
to skate.
"In order to get good at skating, you
need to fail at some point," said Poling.
"It helped instill the trial and error
process within me. I skate because I have
developed a love for it. "
Luckily for students, Greensboro's
own Above Board Skate Park and Shop
on Greengate Dr. and 915 Skate Park
and Shop on Warren St. are only a quick
skate down the road.
These parks also serve as retail shops,
supplying locals with the latest skating
gear. Board Paradise on Battlegroimd
Ave. is another favorite of Greensboro
skaters for hardware, boards, trucks and
basic inquiries; /
"Board Paradise has everything you
need to get started," said Poling.
"Plus they have unlimited information
on board styles, wheels and hardware."
Are you a newbie?
Lessons are offered at a small cost by
Go Skate Skateboard School. Instructors
will help any level of skater improve,
either by coming directly to your home
or meeting you at any Greensboro skate
park location.
Greensboro has options for the trick
skater as well as longboarders looking to
cruise and shred hills.
"We call one hill the tearjerker," said
senior Noel Baker. "Every time you hit it,
it jerks a tear out of your eye. It's down
New Garden towards the Target."
The skating community at Guilford
grows visibly each year, as students
across the nation find common ground
here in Greensboro. This culture is
built around, and promotes, creative
individuals.
"At Guilford, there is more diversity
among skaters," said Poling.
"Students from all backgrounds,
locations and interests come together to
skate. We pull in people from so many
different regions that the environment
becomes more accepting and cultured."
View from the trenches: grand finale
BY REESE SETZER
Staff Writer
It is common in football to see a team have a letdown
after an emotional loss like the one we suffered in overtime
against Hampden-Sydney.
However, had you been at our week of intense practices
following that loss, you would have seen a team full of
perseverance, tenacity and fight.
Our last game of the season against Emory & Henry was
prepared for like a conference championship game.
There was still a chance that we could clinch a share of
first place. However, the only way this could secure this
opportunity was by defeating the Wasps on their own turf.
We were up to the challenge.
We shined in all aspects of football: offense, defense and
special teams.
The offense moved the ball at will throughout the game,
the defense made some crucial stops in key situations and
our special teams shined in a 52-28 rout. #
We celebrated the victory like it was a championship
win.
There was cheering, chanting and even some dancing
on the field postgame as we celebrated our victories and
reflected on our losses throughout the year.
We all returned to the locker room scurrying to check
our phones, hoping to see the results of the other games
throughout the ODAC.
There in Emory & Henry's small, cramped visiting locker
room, the team erupted as we learned that we had tied for
first place in the ODAC.
This year's senior class came in as first-years and finished
their first season at 2-8. In their final season, they went out
8-2 (tied for the best record in Guilford College history).
That is an accomplishment that is truly special and well-
deserved by great teammates.
Unfortunately, Hampden-Sydney got the ODAC's
playoff berth due to a tiebreaker.
Despite not playing in the postseason, we held our heads
high that day knowing we had accomplished great things.
We are still hungry.
We know what it takes in order to be at the top of the
conference and we plan on staying there. Much work lays
ahead this offseason.
Having a share of first place is good, but the 2015 season
has begun, and it is time for us to be greedy and to take the
championship alone.
The first-years, sophomores and juniors will be called
upon to take the next step.
Our preparation and quest to become 2015 ODAC
champions began the day after the Emory & Henry victory.
Stay tuned. Great things lie ahead.