Risk Management
Risk Management Officer
<p>Each club is required to have a risk management officer as part of its leadership team. The risk management officer may hold one other leadership position and is expected to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Obtain certification in First Aid, CPR and AED administration</li>
<li>Understand emergency action plans on how to call EMS personnel (9-1-1)</li>
<li>Understand signs and symptoms of a concussion and return to play protocol</li>
<li>Assist with the driver authorization process</li>
<li>Assist with travel planning</li>
<li>Be the point person in the event of an emergency during travel (or on-campus)</li>
<li>Complete and turn in an injury/incident report for all incidents</li>
<li>Assist with the decisions of facility playability in the event administrative staff is absent</li>
<li>Monitor equipment status (safe to use, etc.)</li>
<li>Other items deemed appropriate by the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities</li>
</ul>
<p>Instructions on how to meet expectations as a risk management officer will be presented during a training session specifically designed for risk management purposes, which the risk management officer must attend (other leaders welcome).</p>
Participation Waivers
<p>All members who intend to participate in any club event must have a participation waiver on-file with the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities. Members are not eligible to participate until this waiver is properly acknowledged and filed. In addition to having a waiver on-file, members must be listed on a club’s membership roster, which is also on-file in the Rec Sports Office. Both of these forms must be legible and contain up-to-date information.</p>
<p>Participation waivers are good for one calendar year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Waivers must be filed each year a member wishes to participate.</p>
Medical Coverage & Assistance
<p>The Office of Recreation Sports and Facilities does not provide health/medical or accidental insurance coverage for participants. Participants are encouraged to have their own coverage, although insurance coverage is not a requirement for participation.</p>
<p>In the event medical assistance is needed on-campus, all Rec Sports staff members are able to provide basic first aid, CPR and AED administration. Rec Sports staff do not have the authority to diagnose injuries or provide medical assistance outside of basic first aid training. Staff members are also trained to follow emergency action plans and EMS protocol. Advisement provided by staff should not be considered official medical advice and members should always consult a physician whenever they feel it necessary.</p>
<p>In the event EMS is called, a member has the right to refuse treatment and any transportation.</p>
<p>Club Sports athletes are not eligible to receive treatment in the Williams Center via the services provided by Intercollegiate Athletics.</p>
<p>Basic first aid and taping supplies are available for club teams upon request.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.uww.edu/uhcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University Health and Counseling Services</a> may be utilized by Club Sports members.</p>
Coach Agreements & Information
<p>Clubs may appoint a coaching staff if they so choose. Coaches do not have to be members of the University community, although they must be recognized by the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities. A Coach Agreement Form must be filed each academic year for every individual on a club’s coaching staff (if said coach is not already a participating member as established by eligibility guidelines). Background checks and additional paperwork may also be required of individuals wishing to serve as a coach.</p>
<p>Coaches may volunteer or be paid for their services. Pay status is at the discretion of each individual club. If a coach receives financial compensation for their services, proper documentation must be filed with Financial Services. Stu/Fac check requests will not be accepted unless proper documentation has been turned in.</p>
<p>If coaches wish to have certain privileges (Hawk Card, UW-Whitewater email address, building access, etc.) they must consult with the Assistant Director.</p>
<p>Coaches must act in the best interest of their affiliated club, UW-Whitewater and the UW System and represent all three parties positively and professionally at all times. Coaches may be dismissed by their affiliated club and/or the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities/UW-Whitewater at any time for any reason.</p>
Injury Reporting
<p>Due to the unpredictable nature of participation, all club activities are to be considered contact activities. Any injuries and/or incidents must be reported to the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities within 24 hours of their occurrence. Failure to accurately report injuries and/or incidents may result in disciplinary action.</p>
<p>Individuals who sustain any injury should contact the Assistant Director immediately if it is believed the nature of the injury may prevent them from fulfilling their academic requirements. The Assistant Director reserves the right to refer injured individuals to the University Health Center, the Dean of Students/Student Life Office and/or academic advisors.</p>
Concussions & Return to Play
<p>All team members are encouraged to understand the signs and symptoms affiliated with a concussion. All suspected head injuries are to be handled with extreme care and caution. In the event of a suspected head injury (concussion), club leaders are expected to remove the impacted individual(s) from participation immediately and an injury report shall be filed. It is suggested the injured individual seek medical attention as soon as possible.</p>
<p>The Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities does not require baseline testing and it is up to the injured individual and club leadership to determine return to play status. Members are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and consult as many certified resources as possible in order to reach a logical and safe conclusion. The Assistant Director reserves the right to deny participation in any capacity if an injured participant continues to exhibit signs and symptoms indicating participation could jeopardize their safety and wellbeing.</p>
Athletic Training Services
<p>Most home events are supervised by a member of the Rec Sports staff. The scheduled staff member will be certified in first aid, CPR and AED administration and will also be familiar with EMS protocol and facility action plans. Staff members are NOT certified athletic trainers.</p>
<p>In the event a club wishes to have an athletic trainer on-site, a request for a trainer must be made well in-advance. The Assistant Director will work to find a trainer to hire as an independent contractor. Trainers may not always be available. Clubs may be financially responsible for the hiring of a trainer.</p>
Contracts
<p>No club member is eligible to sign a contract. All contracts should be facilitated through the Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities. The Assistant Director can work with the entity requesting a contractual agreement or refer said entity to the proper campus authority.</p>
Weather Notices
<p>Clubs who practice/compete outdoors will receive email communication from administration In the event of unfavorable weather and/or playing conditions. A notice will also be placed on the home page of the <a href="http://www.uww.edu/recsports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rec Sports website</a>.</p>
<p>If campus facilities are closed due to weather, it should be assumed community facilities and parks are also closed. If Intramural Sports or Intercollegiate Athletics facilities are cleared of participation, clubs must vacate their field space as well. Rec Sports staff members reserve the right to end club events for the fairness and safety of all students on-campus. This includes events that may be in-progress.</p>
<p>In the event of lightning, club members must vacate their playing surface immediately. The Office of Recreation Sports & Facilities follows lightning guidelines established by the National Weather Service and American Softball Association.</p>
<p>Helpful weather resources may include, but are not limited to:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.uww.edu/cls/departments/geography-geology-env-sci/weather" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UW-Whitewater Weather Site</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weather.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Weather Service (NWS)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weather.gov/owlie/publication_brochures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NWS Education</a></li>
<li><a href="https://weather.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Weather Channel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wunderground.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weather Underground</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weatherbug.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WeatherBug</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Please be advised it is highly unlikely indoor practices or events will be canceled/postponed. Club leadership members are authorized to make decisions regarding club events if they feel travel to campus would jeopardize the safety of club members, opponents and/or fans. Any cancellations must be communicated to administrative staff with as much notice as possible.</p>