Sanford joins effort to protect young athletes

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sanford Health is joining a national effort to protect young athletes from brain injury, overwork and other dangers in competing.

The Argus Leader reports (http://bit.ly/ngaVSo) that the medical facility will work with the Indianapolis-based American College of Sports Medicine to become a resource for parents, coaches, state agencies and school districts.

A ceremony was held Thursday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington to launch the National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute.

Sanford official Michael Bergeron will direct the effort from Sioux Falls.

The institute will look at four issues - concussions, heat risks, overscheduling and unique conditions in the youth population.

Tags: k-12 education, updates, sports, health, sanford