| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The second annual USA Hockey Team Up Speak Up Week will began Sunday (Oct. 20) and run through Oct. 26.USA Hockey is joining forces with the Concussion Legacy Foundation in the week-long effort to highlight a simple, but meaningful way to improve concussion reporting and strengthen team bonds.The goal of Team Up Speak Up is to ensure athletes tell a team leader if they notice concussion signs in a teammate.Concussions can occur on the ice, or even at home in the backyard. It is important that young athletes hear messages from trusted veterans and leaders in order to change the culture around reporting concussions.The Concussion Legacy Foundation has created resources including a simple speech with the core message that athletes have a responsibility to report to a team leader if they notice concussion signs in a teammate. The speech includes the following points: we’re a team and teammates look out for each other, a teammate with a concussion needs your help, and I expect you to speak up to a coach, athletic trainer, or team leader if you suspect a teammate has a concussion.The goal of the campaign is to have the simple speech delivered to as many young athletes as possible. Coaches, parents and players are encouraged to share the speech given to their teams on social media using #TeamUpSpeakUp.For more information and resources surrounding USA Hockey Team Up Speak Up Week, including video messages from advocates including Amanda Kessel, Max Pacioretty and Jeremy Roenick, visit usahockey.com/teamupspeakup.About USA Hockey USA Hockey, established on October 29, 1937, and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, sometimes Olympic heroes; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. USA Hockey is more than a million strong, including players, coaches, officials, parents and volunteers that span all 50 states. The National Governing Body for the sport in the United States, USA Hockey has important partnerships with the NHL, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usahockey.com.About Concussion Legacy Foundation The Concussion Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was founded by Robert Cantu, MD, and Chris Nowinski, PhD to support athletes, Veterans, and all affected by concussions and CTE; achieve smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation; and to End CTE through prevention and research. For more information, please visit ConcussionFoundation.org. |
