ATHLETES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO WHO TAKE PART IN CONTACT SPORTS WILL NOW BE MONITORED FOR ANY BRAIN INJURIES THAT RESULT FROM THEIR SPORT. UNM HAS JOINED UP WITH THE NON-PROFIT MIND RESEARCH NETWORK, WHICH WILL DO M-R-I'S BEFORE EACH SEASON TO SET A BASELINE FOR THE STUDENTS. IF THEY'RE HURT THEY'LL BE RETESTED TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE.
DOCTOR KENT KIEHL, DIRECTOR OF THE BRAIN SAFE PROJECT, SAYS THERE MAY BE OTHER BENEFITS FOR THE SCHOOL. HE SAYS IT'S A BIG RECRUITING TOOL BECAUSE MANY PARENTS WANT TO KNOW WHAT SCHOOLS WILL DO IF THEY SUSTAIN A BRAIN INJURY WHILE PLAYING THEIR SPORT. KIEHL SAYS UNM CAN NOW SAY IT'S EMPLOYING THE BEST POSSIBLE SCIENCE, WHICH MIGHT HELP WITH RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.
THE TESTING COVERS SOCCER, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL.
