Thiel College has established medical policies for students participating in intercollegiate athletics. The Student Health Office and Sports Medicine Department must pre-screen all student-athletes in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics. All requirements must be completed fully before the student-athletes may participate in practice. Athletes will not be partially cleared by either the Student Health Office or the Sports Medicine Department.
It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to refrain from participation in practices and/or conditioning programs until fulfilling all requirements. It is the responsibility of the head coach to inform the student-athlete of the teams selected physical examination date and to insure that all student-athletes are cleared for participation.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Pre-Participation Physical Examination Form
Student-athletes have the responsibility to truthfully and fully disclose their medical history and report any changes in their health to the team health care provider. The pre-participation physical exam must be completed annually prior to the athletic season.
Returning upperclass student-athletes will continue to have their pre-participation physical exams completed on campus prior to their respective sports begin practice. The procedure includes general health and orthopedic evaluation, previous injuries screening, height, weight, blood pressure and pulse. The college physician and/or team physician or their designee is the final authority concerning when the student-athlete may return to partial or full participation following a previous injury or illness.
All freshmen, transfer and first year students are required by the College Admissions Department to complete a physical examination and immunization records update from his or her personal physician prior to entering the college. These forms must be on file at the Student Health Office prior to participation in any sports related activity. Payment for the physical exam and immunization record update will be the responsibility of the student and/or parent/guardians.
Please note that the Pre-participation Physical Examination Form for intercollegiate athletics is separate from the physical examination form required to be a student at Thiel and cannot be interchanged. Failure to complete these forms will disqualify the student-athlete from participation until it is received.
Medications
Athletes are required to list all medications and the dosages that are being taken on the pre-participation physical form. Athletes who are prescribed inhalers must bring a second inhaler to be kept in the possession of the sports medicine staff. The inhaler must be clearly labeled with the athlete’s name and prescription.
Student-athletes who have epi-pens prescribed to them in the event of an allergic reaction must bring a second epi-pen to be kept in the possession of the sports medicine staff. The epi-pen must be clearly labeled with the athlete’s name and prescription.
Rehabilitation
Athletes who have been receiving rehabilitation off-campus must bring a prescription from their diagnosing physician and/or exercise therapist. Athletes should bring copies of all rehabilitation notes if rehabilitation is to be continued in the Thiel College sports medicine facility.
Recent Surgery
All student-athletes who have had surgery within the past year must submit a physician's note stating that they are cleared for full participation in their particular sport.
MEDICAL CLEARENCE
Health Insurance Information Form
• Student-athletes must complete and return the Health Insurance Information Form each school year along with a photo copy of the front an back of their insurance card.
• Student-athlete must produce evidence of primary coverage by means of his or her own insurance policy, their parents/guardian insurance policy, or their participation in Thiel College student insurance policy. Student athletes utilizing the Thiel College student insurance policy must indicate so on the Health Insurance Information Form.
• Student-athletes not able to provide primary insurance coverage must indicate so on the Health Insurance Information Form.
• Failure to complete this form or mail a photo copy of the insurance card will disqualify the student-athlete from participation until it is received.
MEDICAL RECORDS NOTICE
The Thiel College Sports Medicine Department records are considered medical records. Sports Medicine records and the information that they contain are considered confidential and private. Written permission, signed by the student-athlete, that authorizes the release of medical information to others must specify which information may be released and to whom. Medical records are maintained during the athlete’s collegiate career and for seven years thereafter.
