HHSAA to require concussion course

The Hawaii High School Athletic Association is requiring all coaches participating in its state championship events to complete an online concussion education course, the HHSAA announced.

“It is the responsibility of our coaches and administrators to not only prepare our student athletes for victory, but to provide a safe environment as well,” said HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun.

The requirement was passed by the HHSAA board last month.

The free 30-minute course titled “Concussion In Sports — What You Need to Know” is available on the National Federation of High School Associations learning center website, nfhslearn.com, the HHSAA said. The course is a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The HHSAA said coaches who fail to complete the course will not be allowed on the sideline during the event until the course has been successfully completed.

“The NFHS’s concussion course provides a strong foundation that will prepare our coaches to deal with concussions in collaboration with our athletic trainers and other health care professionals,” Chun said.

 The HHSAA began its concussion awareness and education campaign in August with a public service announcements on OC16, as well as a concussion resource page on SportsHigh.com.

Agreement between Pac-12 and HI-Telcom

Hawaiian Telcom announced it has begun offering the Pac-12 network to subscribers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hawaiian Telcom said all seven Pac-12 Networks will be available to customers with Advantage Plus service — without requiring the purchase of an additional digital sports package.

The network will offer 850 live sporting events, including 35 football and more than 120 basketball games.

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Pac-12 Enterprises to offer our TV customers the exciting, high-quality events and programming of the elite Pac-12 conference, its talented teams and student-athletes,” said Brad Fisher, Senior Vice President — Strategy & Marketing for Hawaiian Telcom. “Our customers have consistently asked for more High Definition sports content, and so it’s especially exciting to be carrying the most HD Pac-12 programming in the Oahu marketplace.”

Hawaiian Telcom also offers the NFL Network.