Bullis is a co-ed college preparatory school in Potomac, Maryland. Students have excelled in academics as well as athletics since the school was founded in 1930. The school’s motto is “Caring, Challenging, Community.” Caring indeed.
The women’s lacrosse coach Kathleen Lloyd decided to make necessary precautions after nine of her players received concussions last season. Lloyd knew that she had to make a change so this never happens again. So…she ordered the team custom rugby helmets.
We were lucky enough to ask Coach Lloyd about this initiative. Read the interview below.
Why did you decide to go with headgear for this season?
We had 9 concussions last season, various causes, and wanted to do something to help protect our student athletes. Even though there is no conclusive research about wearing headgear and it’s effectiveness, we decided as a school that we needed to do something and wanted to take proactive steps to keep our students safe. We look at it as it is the least we can do to help protect our girls. This particular item, the rugby helmet, is very light weight, does not impede their vision and does not get in their way at all when they play. The girls are treating it as another piece of mandatory equipment like a mouthguard and/or goggles, and honestly, I do not think they even notice it anymore, it is a part of their routine.
Where/who did you get the headgear from?
We ordered them and got them custom from a company called Love Rugby, out of Northern Virginia. They are Navy Blue (our colors are Athletic Gold and Navy Blue) and they screened a “B” on the side in gold.
Will you continue to do this for years to come?
Our plan is to evaluate the season once it is completed and see how things went. We will analyze the pros and cons, but it may be hard to tell if the headgear had a specific impact on a decrease in concussions if that is the case. I do know that the girls feel more confident when playing and are not as worried about getting hit when they are playing.
Do you you think other teams will follow your lead?
I am not sure, I know that I have gotten a lot of questions and inquiries about what we are doing and how the headgear is impacting the players on the field. Right now, we are focusing on our team and keeping them as safe as we can.
Follow the Bullis girls as they look to win an ISL championship by clicking here.
