Committee clarifies athletic-trainer language in concussion policy; flag football explicitly excluded from trainer requirement
February 04, 2026 | Wake County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina
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The Wake County Public School System policy committee on Feb. 3 approved sending revisions to Policy 42706145 (concussion and head injury) to the Feb. 17 consent agenda after staff and the school board association updated the legal references and clarified which activities require athletic trainers.
Dr. Crane and staff explained the North Carolina School Board Association suggested adding wrestling matches and tournaments to the list of activities warranting athletic trainers or first responders. Staff recommended explicitly excluding flag football from the list because, as Darren Coe, the system’s athletic director, said, "the clarification to exclude flag football, which is not yet sanctioned by the High School Athletic Association, is for clarity that it does not required that athletic trainers be at all of their practices and contests." Coe also noted Wake County typically has athletic trainers or first responders at contests by recommendation rather than strict state requirement.
Board members asked why sports such as soccer, cheer and stunt were not singled out; speakers emphasized the policy language uses "include, but are not limited to," and staff said listed sports are tied to state board and North Carolina High School Athletic Association rules. After questions, a motion to place Policy 42706145 on the Feb. 17 consent agenda for first reading passed by roll call.
The committee’s action advances a technical and clarifying change to how the district describes athletic-trainer expectations; final adoption will occur if and when the full board votes on Feb. 17.
Dr. Crane and staff explained the North Carolina School Board Association suggested adding wrestling matches and tournaments to the list of activities warranting athletic trainers or first responders. Staff recommended explicitly excluding flag football from the list because, as Darren Coe, the system’s athletic director, said, "the clarification to exclude flag football, which is not yet sanctioned by the High School Athletic Association, is for clarity that it does not required that athletic trainers be at all of their practices and contests." Coe also noted Wake County typically has athletic trainers or first responders at contests by recommendation rather than strict state requirement.
Board members asked why sports such as soccer, cheer and stunt were not singled out; speakers emphasized the policy language uses "include, but are not limited to," and staff said listed sports are tied to state board and North Carolina High School Athletic Association rules. After questions, a motion to place Policy 42706145 on the Feb. 17 consent agenda for first reading passed by roll call.
The committee’s action advances a technical and clarifying change to how the district describes athletic-trainer expectations; final adoption will occur if and when the full board votes on Feb. 17.
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