Concussion Awareness at GD

Groton-Dunstable Boys and Girls Soccer Support the ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Initiative

Athletic Update

By Michael McCaffrey

The Groton-Dunstable Boys and Girls Soccer teams took part in the 1^st Annual ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Initiative (Sept. 21-25^th) sponsored by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.  The goal throughout the week was to raise awareness and better educate soccer players, parents, coaches and athletic trainers on concussion injuries and proper treatment.

 “The MIAA is pleased to join ThinkTaylor and Inaria in launching this groundbreaking program designed to promote concussion awareness and safety,” said Bill Gaine, Executive Director of the MIAA. “The MIAA is committed to the safety and welfare of our student-athletes across the Commonwealth, and our ThinkTaylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week underscores that commitment. We can’t wait to see the soccer fields of Massachusetts painted orange for Concussion Awareness Week, and we look forward to taking the ‪#‎TTpledge.”

The Crusaders responded to this awareness challenge by not only painting our playing field orange, but by replicating the ThinkTaylor logo in the center prior to hosting Quabbin Regional HS on Thursday afternoon.  The event was a great success as we embraced the theme of ORANGE as the color of concussion awareness while unleashing an offensive barrage on our way to a 7-1 victory!

Boys Soccer supports ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Week.  (Photo by Drone Commander Joe Bisbee)

Our Girls soccer team showed their support for the cause last Saturday at home while hosting Leominster High School (2-2 draw).  The field was lined in orange and they sported official orange wristbands to call attention to concussion issues in high school sports today.  The Lady Crusaders also rocked our custom ThinkTaylor t-shirts on their trip to Quabbin Regional High School Thursday afternoon (another draw)!

Girls Soccer taking the ThinkTaylor Pledge on Concussion Awarenesss Week prior to boarding their team bus to Quabbin Regional HS.  (Photo courtesy of Brenda Palmacci)

Concussion Awareness Week was fun for both of our soccer programs.  The ThinkTaylor initiative certainly helped underscore the importance of proper diagnosis and care surrounding concussions around the Commonwealth and Groton-Dunstable was proud to support the effort on behalf of our students.

Drone Footage

About ThinkTaylor

ThinkTaylor was founded by former Major League Soccer all-star and current ESPN Lead Soccer Analyst, Taylor Twellman. Twellman retired from professional soccer in 2010, due to complications from multiple concussions. In 2008, Taylor suffered a concussion that many believe ended his storied career and as Twellman later realized, this brain injury was far more than a career-ending injury; rather, it was a life-changing event. ThinkTaylor is driven and dedicated to changing the culture in the world of concussions. As a leader in the social change for concussion safety, ThinkTaylor’s positive message emphasizing awareness, recognition, education and putting the health of kids first helps create positive social change and in return a safer, healthier and smarter environment. ThinkTaylor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information can be found at www.thinktaylor.org