HAVERFORD COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Medical Clearance Requirements for Participation in Varsity/JV
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
NO STUDENT-ATHLETE MAY PARTICIPATE IN ANY ACTIVITIES WITH A TEAM UNTIL MEDICAL CLEARANCE IS GRANTED BY THE HAVERFORD HEALTH SERVICES
Medical clearance is the process by which the health and fitness of a student-athlete is evaluated by the Haverford College health care providers (MD, DO,NP) to determine whether or not it is reasonably safe for the student-athlete to participate in athletics. This is done upon arrival to campus as a first-year or transfer student or after a medical condition warrants further care. The ultimate authority in the medical clearance of any student-athlete lies with the Medical Director of the Health Services at Haverford College.
Every student-athlete, prior to any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activity, must have submitted all required paperwork to Health Services and Athletic Training Services. A health care provider (MD,DO,NP) at the Student Health Services and the Athletic Trainer will review all required paperwork and will determine whether or not a student-athlete is cleared for participation. Where the student-athlete’s health history warrants, a trainer or physician/nurse practitioner at the college may require the student-athlete to be examined at the Student Health Services or by the appropriate specialist before medical clearance for intercollegiate athletic participation is granted. The Haverford College Medical Director retains the final authorization concerning the approval of any student-athlete for participation in any intercollegiate athletic activities at Haverford College. The Health Services staff may disclose any pertinent information to the certified Athletic Trainers within the Athletic Department for the ongoing care of a student. The Athletic Trainers may disclose any pertinent information to the Health Services providers for the ongoing care of a student-athlete.
If a student-athlete is under the care of a specialist, the student-athlete must give permission to Health Services and the Athletic Trainers to receive information indicating the nature of the condition, the care required, any activity-limiting factors associated with the condition, and recommendation of when the student-athlete may resume full athletic participation. An outside provider’s/consultant’s/or specialist’s treating information and/or opinion on progress and health status must be on file with Health Services in order to aid in the decision on the medical clearance by the College Medical Director.
All medical clearance decisions are communicated from Health Services to the Athletic Trainers who will then communicate to the student-athletes if they have not already been informed and the coach. The final medical clearance decision to participate as an athlete at Haverford College will be determined by Haverford College Health Services.
NCAA REQUIREMENTS
NCAA Manual 17.1.6.4 Mandatory Medical Examination. Before participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities, student-athletes who are beginning their initial season of eligibility and students who are trying out for a team shall be required to undergo a medical examination or evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g., family physician, team physician). The examination or evaluation must be administered within six months before participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities. In following years, updated history of the student-athlete's medical condition shall be administered by an institutional medical staff member (e.g., sports medicine staff, team physician) to determine if additional examinations (e.g., physical, cardiovascular, neurological) are required. The updated history must be administered within six months before the student-athlete's participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities for the applicable academic year. (Adopted: 4/11/11 effective 8/1/11)
NCAA Manual 17.1.6.4.1 Confirmation of Sickle Cell Trait Status. An institution shall confirm the sickle cell trait status of student-athletes, before participation in intercollegiate athletics.
NOTE: Athletes may not participate in any aspect of the sport or training until all paperwork has been received, reviewed and clearance determined by the trainers and the health services providers. Prospective student-athletes should reach out to the head coach of the sport they are interested in to begin the onboarding process.