LEE COUNTY, Fla.-- New requirements for student athletes in our state will soon go into affect in response to the death of a Fort Myers high school student.
Almost a year ago, Zach Polsenberg suffered a heat stroke on the Riverdale High School football field and later died. Since then, his mom has been pushing for safety changes for student athletes.
On Monday, April 30, 2018, the Florida High School Athletic Association approved a mandatory policy. It requires all coaches, parents and students to take a 30 minute online, heat illness course.
The course covers signs, symptoms and treatment; it used to be voluntary. The FHSAA board of directors is working to make the quick change before summer practices begin.
The FHSAA board plans to meet again at the end of June to go over other policies like cold water immersion tubs and field thermometers; right now they are recommended but not mandated.
Laurie Polsenberg, Zach's mom, tells us the board did not discuss regulating safety guidelines for summer conditioning.
