Oct. 3, 2014
Last week Quick Slant explained that medical doctors and trainers determine if collegiate athletes are allowed to practice or play if there is a medical question. Days later the University of Michigan came under tremendous scrutiny for sending its quarterback back into a game when it turned out he had sustained a concussion. That was first called out by an ESPN commentator and in this case, the announcer was correct. But the pressbox gang doesn’t bat 1.000. Last fall a color commentator blurted out that he thought our Jordan Matthews might have a suffered a concussion when the Vandy star took a hard hit to the midsection and vomited on the field. That suggestion was totally wrong but no doubt some viewers never heard the facts. It’s risky business for journalists to be guessing from long distance about the medical condition of an athlete, even if in some cases they are being paid for their often-edgy opinions.
Earlier this week, our Life Skills office conducted a mandatory attendance seminar for all Vanderbilt student-athletes on the dangers of anabolic steroid use and dietary supplement abuse. The discussion was led by the Taylor Hooton Foundation, a non-profit organization founded upon the tragic suicide of teenage Taylor Hooton after consumption of steroids. It was a powerful presentation, one of a series of topics that is addressed over the course of any given year. We will likely expand upon this note in an upcoming issue of Commodore Nation magazine.
Perhaps one of the reasons Simone Charley was our Female Athlete of the Year” as a freshman last year is that she works harder than is required. Charley was an all-SEC soccer selection and earned All-America honors in the triple jump. We can now understand why. From our office window that overlooks the soccer field, we see Simone practicing all by herself several times a week.