Athletic trainers push high schools for tougher heat-safety policies

Prep deaths prompt new heat policies

SAN ANTONIO — The nation’s athletic trainers are calling on high school football teams to eliminate two-a-day practices during the first week of August drills.

The new report from the National Association of Athletic Trainers was released Thursday in San Antonio. In some states, the grueling two-a-days are an annual rite of passage for thousands of high school teams.

Authors of the report say their policies largely follow what’s being done at the college level. They also point to a 15-year-old in Kentucky who collapsed last August and later died. Prosecutors charged his coach with reckless homicide.

The National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research says at least 39 football players across all levels have died from heat-related causes since 1995. Most cases occurred in August.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The nation’s athletic trainers are calling on high school football teams to eliminate two-a-day practices in August.

The new report from the National Association of Athletic Trainers was released Thursday in San Antonio. In some states, the grueling two-a-days are an annual rite of passage for thousands of high school teams.

Authors of the report say their policies largely follow what’s being done at the college level. They also point to a 15-year-old in Kentucky who collapsed last August and later died. Prosecutors charged his coach with reckless homicide.

The National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research says at least 39 football players across all levels have died from heat-related causes since 1995. Most cases occurred in August.