The Brain Injury Association is pleased to announce that internationally recognized author and brain injury advocate Chris Nowinski will be the Opening Day Keynote Speaker at
BIAM’s 2012 Annual Education Conference “Making Connections”
Chris will also offer one our educational breakout sessions and be available to personally sign copies of his book, Head Games: Football’s Concussion Crisis
Chris Nowinski’s extensive work in the field of concussion research and advocacy has made him a sought-after voice for awareness. Chris Nowinski is the author of Head Games: Football’s Concussion Crisis, and a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Chris was born September 24, 1978 in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He attended John Hersey High School where he played 4 sports, and captained the football and basketball teams his senior year. Chris then attended Harvard, where he was a three-year letterman for the football team. He graduated from Harvard cum laude with a degree in sociology in 2000.
After college, Chris became a professional wrestler. Chris was a contestant and finalist on the MTV reality show, Tough Enough. On June 10, 2002, Chris made his wrestling debut on WWE’s Monday Night RAW. In 2002, he was named “Newcomer of the Year.” Chris was the youngest male Hardcore Champion in WWE history. In 2003, his career ended due to symptoms he continued to experience from past concussions.
Following his wrestling career, he wrote Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, which examined the long-term effects of head trauma among athletes. In the book, Chris, who suffered at least six concussions from his wrestling and football days, draws on his own post-concussion experiences. In addition to his book, Head Games¸ Chris has written several articles for sports and medical journals.
Currently, Chris is the Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine. In addition, he serves as President of the Sports Legacy Institute, dedicated to furthering sports-related brain injury research and awareness, and improving the safety of contact sports. For his contributions to this field, Chris received the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship in 2010. In the January, 2011 issue of The Hockey News, Chris was named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” most powerful people in hockey. He also serves on the National Football League Players Association Mackey/White TBI Research Committee and on the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of America.
Through his continued advocacy and investigative work, Chris has raised this issue into the national consciousness and changed how sports are played. Chris and his team's research has been featured in media outlets like The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Time Magazine, 60 Minutes, ESPN, CNN, Fox, TSN, NPR, and more. His profile in May 2007 by HBOs Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel won the Emmy for Sports Journalism, a second episode aired in January of 2010, and a third in August of 2010.
For more information, visit Chris' website.
Chris on HBO Real Sports featuring the work of the Sports Legacy Institute.
http://youtu.be/-mB1gFXfOZU
http://youtu.be/jbxJgN2Udjg
Maryland’s New Student Athlete Concussion Law Went Into Effect July 1, 2011
On May 19, 2011, Governor Martin O’Malley signed HB 858 and SB 771 into law. The new law, which went into effect July 1, 2011, provides protections for students who are suspected of incurring a concussion during practice or play. The calls for the Maryland State Department of Education to implement concussion awareness programs and requires student athletes under the age of 19 and their parents/guardians to acknowledge they have received concussion information prior to participating in any sport. Students demonstrating signs of a concussion during practice or play will be removed and returned only after clearance by an appropriate licensed health care professional. Maryland becomes the 18th state to enact such legislation which came as the result of numerous legislators and organizations, including the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, pushing for this important initiative to become law.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. Effects are usually temporary, but can include problems with headache, concentration, memory, judgment, balance and coordination. Although concussions usually are caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. These injuries can cause a loss of consciousness, but most concussions do not. Because of this, some people have concussions and don't realize it. Concussions are common, particularly if you play a contact sport, such as football. But every concussion injures your brain to some extent. This injury needs time and rest to heal properly. Luckily, most concussive traumatic brain injuries are mild, and people usually recover fully.
For more information, call BIAM at 410.448.2924 or click here.
