Sports Medicine Catastrophic Injury Plan
Definition of a Catastrophic Incident1. Sudden Death of a student-athlete, coach, and/or Athletics staff member;
2. Disability / Quality of Life Altering injury / illness including, but not limited to:
 Spinal cord injury resulting in partial or complete paralysis;
 Severe head injury;
 Injuries / illnesses resulting in severely diminished mental capacity or
other neurological injury that results in an inability to perform daily
functions (e.g. coma);
 Irrecoverable loss of speech, hearing, sight, or one or both arm(s) and/or
leg(s);
 Loss of a paired organ.
3. Other incidents as deemed appropriate.
Catastrophic Incident Management Team (CIMT)
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Eric Ziady, Director of Athletics
Samantha K. Huge, Deputy Director of Athletics
Joe Shirley, Sr. Associate Athletic Director
Augie Maurelli, Associate Athletic Director
Scott Selheimer, Assistant Director of Athletics, Media Relations
Tim Dowling, Director of Student Health Services
Andrew Reisman, Head Team Physician
Kristopher Fayock, Team Physician
Bradley Sandella, Team Physician
Dan Watson, Head Athletic Trainer
Joan Couch, Athletic Training
Courtney Butterworth, Athletic Training
John Boone, Athletic Training
Kelly Stafford, Athletic Training
Brian Hess, Head S&C Coach
University of Delaware Head Coaches
Dawn Thompson, Dean of Students (Current Interim VP of Student Life)**
Kathleen Kerr, Director, Residence Life**
Kathryn Goldman, Director, Office of Student Conduct**
Tim Morrissey, Director of Student Services for Athletes
Charles L. Beale, Director of Counseling and Student Development
Kim Zitner, Campus Ministry
Marcia Nickle, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Public Safety
Deborah Hayes, Director of Communications and Marketing
University of Delaware General Counsel
**Student Life On Call Administrator
Catastrophic Incident Management Team Responsibilities:
TEAM CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER
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Accompanies the athlete or designates the most senior medical staff member that can be
spared from the practice or game (at least one Certified Athletic Trainer from either team
should remain if play proceeds) to accompany the athlete to the hospital. Stays at
hospital with athlete until relieved by other University of Delaware CIMT Staff;
Contacts the Team Physician after EMS has taken control of the scene and gives brief
summary of events;
Contacts the Head Athletic Trainer regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Updated by Team Physician regarding athlete’s status;
Communicate with the Team’s Head Coach regarding the athlete’s initial status at the
medical facility with updates as warranted;
Addresses the team with Head Coach as soon possible after the potential
catastrophic event. Update team on injured athlete’s status and reinforce that all media
inquiries should be referred to Media Relations;
Assists with the collection and security of all equipment / materials involved in the
incident;
Assists the Director of Student Services for Athletes, Campus Ministry, and the
Associate Director of the Counseling Center in coordinating services of psychiatrists,
psychologists, clergy, grief counselors for the use of all team and University personnel;
Update team personnel and coaching staff with the status of the injured student-athlete
after the event on an ongoing basis, in conjunction with the Team Physician, and the
Head Coach;
Assists the Head Athletic Trainer with the compilation of complete documentation of
events from everyone involved in the incident with signatures;
Assists with the construction of a detailed time line of events related to the incident;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
ATHLETIC STAFF THAT ACCOMPANIES ATHLETE TO HOSPITAL
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Accompanies athlete to the hospital and stays at hospital with athlete until relieved by
another University of Delaware CIMT Staff;
Gives the Attending Physician in the Emergency Department a summary of events and
the Team Physician’s phone number;
Contacts Team Physician after care of athlete has been assumed by the Emergency
Department;
Other duties as needed or assigned.
TEAM PHYSICIAN
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Contacted by UD Athletic staff regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Informs Athletic Director, Director of Student Health, of potential catastrophic event;
Communicate directly with medical personnel at the Emergency Department
regarding the catastrophic incident;
Makes initial contact with the family regarding the catastrophic incident and
coordinates contact between the family and treating physicians, and continues to provide
updates as warranted;
TEAM PHYSICIAN (cont.)
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In conjunction with Dean of Students, Associate Director of Athletics, and Head Athletic
Trainer arrange for CIMT personnel to relieve Medical Staff that accompanied athlete to
the hospital;
Communicate with the Director of Athletics, the Director of the Student Health Service,
and the Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer regarding the athlete’s initial status at the
medical facility with updates as warranted;
Discuss event and athlete’s medical status with the athlete’s primary care physician if
desired by the family;
In consultation with the student-athlete’s family, medical personnel at the hospital,
University of Delaware Director of Athletics, Assistant Director for Media Relations,
General Counsel, and other appropriate personnel, drafts, approves, and makes a public
statement regarding the catastrophic incident;
Assists with the coordination of return travel for the injured student-athlete back to
Newark, DE or other appropriate location in conjunction with the family, medical
personnel at the hospital, Dean of Students, and other appropriate persons;
Assist with arrangements for follow-up care and/or rehabilitation for the injured studentathlete in conjunction with the family, medical personnel at the facility and other
appropriate persons;
Assists with the coordination of arranging for psychiatrists, psychologists, clergy, grief
counselors, etc. for the use of all team and University personnel;
Assists with updates for team personnel as to the status of the injured student-athlete, in
conjunction with the Head Coach and the Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer
Responsible for constructing a detailed time line of events related to the incident;
Assists with the filing of appropriate insurance claims (student-athlete’s primary
insurance, University of Delaware ICA secondary insurance, NCAA Catastrophic
insurance, etc.) as needed;
In the event the Director of Student Health cannot be reached, the Team Physician will
assume the Director’s Catastrophic Injury Management Plan responsibilities
Other duties as needed.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
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Contacted by Team Physician regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Calls family to offer support/condolences. Informs family that they will be contacted by
the Dean of Students or a Student Life Administrator who will be their primary liaison
to the University and will assist in any way possible;
Informs the Deputy Athletic Director of the potential catastrophic incident;
Informs University General Counsel of the potential catastrophic incident;
In consultation with the student-athlete’s family, medical personnel at the facility,
University of Delaware’s Team Physicians, General Counsel, Director of Sports
Information, and other appropriate personnel, drafts, approves, and makes a public
statement regarding the catastrophic incident.
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT HEALTH
 Contacted by Team Physician regarding potential catastrophic incident;
 Informs Vice President of Student Life of potential catastrophic incident;
 Informs the Dean of Students or the Student Life On Call Administrator of potential
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catastrophic incident;
Provides updates to senior administration;
Other duties as needed.
DEAN OF STUDENTS or the STUDENT LIFE ON CALL ADMINISTRATOR
 Contacted by Director of Student Health Service regarding potential catastrophic
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incident;
Informs the Director of Student Services for Athletes, Campus Ministry
Representative and Director of Counseling and Student Development regarding
potential catastrophic incident;
Implements the University of Delaware Student Crisis Management Response
Procedure (attached);
After being notified by the Director of Student Health, contacts the family and acts
as primary University liaison to the family of the student-athlete;
Contacts the Asst Athletic Director for Media Relations after speaking with the
family:
Assist with travel and lodging arrangements for the injured student-athlete’s family,
informs the family that the Assistant AD for Media Relations will be contacting them
regarding press statements;
Arrange that someone will be with the family at all times upon arrival, assist the family as
needed, and protect them from outside persons;
Assists with the coordination of return travel for the injured student-athlete back to
Newark, DE or other appropriate location in conjunction with the family / next of kin,
medical personnel at the hospital, the Team Physician, and other appropriate persons;
Other duties as needed.
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DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
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Contacted by the Athletic Director regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Informs the Associate Athletic Director of the potential catastrophic incident;
Informs the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations of the potential
catastrophic incident;
In the event the Athletic Director can’t be reached, the Deputy Director will assume the
Director’s Catastrophic Injury Management Plan responsibilities.
Other duties as needed and/or assigned by the Athletic Director.
ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
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Contacted by the Deputy Athletic Director regarding potential catastrophic incident;
In conjunction with Team Physician and Head Athletic Trainer arrange for CIMT
personnel to relieve Medical Staff that accompanied athlete to the hospital;
Arrange for a private meeting space for all team and University personnel at the medical
facility;
Assists with the coordination of travel, lodging, and meal arrangements for University of
Delaware Sports Medicine personnel as needed;
Provides guidance regarding the payment of expenses related to the catastrophic
incident;
Assists with the filing of appropriate insurance claims (student-athlete’s primary
insurance, University of Delaware ICA secondary insurance, NCAA Catastrophic
insurance, etc.) as needed;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned by the Athletic Director.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS FOR MEDIA RELATIONS
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Contacted by the Deputy Athletic Director regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Informs Vice President of Communications and Marketing of the potential
catastrophic incident;
Contacts family once notified by the Dean of Students or the On Call Student Life
Administrator, and obtains permission from them for press statements as appropriate;
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Serve as the “Official Spokesperson” regarding all aspects of the catastrophic incident in
conjunction with the Director of Athletics, Team Physician, VP of Communications and
Marketing, and the CIMT personnel at the facility;
In consultation with the student-athlete’s family, medical personnel at the facility, Director
of Athletics, Team Physician, General Counsel, and other appropriate personnel, drafts,
approves, and makes public statements regarding the catastrophic incident;
Responsible for keeping members of the media a safe distance from team and University
personnel in and around the medical facility, hotel, etc.;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
HEAD COACH
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Contacted by Team Certified Athletic Trainer regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Address the team with Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer as soon possible after the
potential catastrophic event. Update team on injured athlete’s status and reinforce that
all media inquiries should be referred to Media Relations;
Contacts the family when appropriate to offer support/condolences;
Updates team personnel as to the status of the injured student-athlete, in
conjunction with the Team Physician and the team’s Certified Athletic Trainer;
Mandate that student-athletes and other team personnel not discuss the catastrophic
incident until cleared to do so;
Assists Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer with the coordination of arranging for
psychiatrists, psychologists, clergy, grief counselors, etc. for the use of all team and
University personnel;
Assists with the compilation of complete documentation of events from everyone involved
in the incident with signat
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER
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Contacted by Team Athletic Trainer regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Responsible for collecting and securing all equipment / materials involved in the incident;
In conjunction with Team Physician and Associate Director of Athletics arrange for CIMT
personnel to relieve Medical Staff that accompanied athlete to the hospital;
Responsible for compiling complete documentation of events (in conjunction with the
University’s General Counsel) from everyone involved in the incident with signatures;
Assists with the construction of a detailed time line of events related to the incident;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
DIRECTOR, STUDENT SERVICES FOR ATHLETES
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Contacted by the Dean of Students or the Student Life On Call Administrator
regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Assists the Student Life On Call Administrator with implementation of the Student
Crisis Management Response Procedure;
Contacts the Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer to coordinate the services of
psychiatrists, psychologists, clergy, grief counselors for the use of all team and University
personnel with the Counseling Center and Team Physician;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
DIRECTOR, COUNSELING AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
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Contacted by the Dean of Students or the Student Life On Call Administrator
regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Assists the Student Life On Call Administrator with implementation of the Student
Crisis Management Response Procedure;
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Coordinates the services of psychiatrists, psychologists, and grief counselors for the use
of all:
1. Team and University personnel with the Director of Student Services for Athletes
and the Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer;
2. Roommates and Classmates of injured athlete with the Student Life Crisis
Response team;
Provide and/or arrange for follow-up counseling post-incident to all needed parties;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
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Contacted by the Dean of Students or the Student Life On Call Administrator
regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Assists the Student Life On Call Administrator with implementation of the Student
Crisis Management Response Procedure;
Coordinates the services of the clergy for the use of all:
1. Team and University personnel with the Director of Student Services for Athletes
and the Team’s Certified Athletic Trainer;
2. Roommates and Classmates of injured athlete with the Student Life Crisis
Response team;
Provide and/or arrange for follow-up counseling post-incident to all needed parties;
Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT LIFE
 Contacted by Director of Student Health Service regarding potential catastrophic
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incident;
Informs University President of potential catastrophic incident;
Updated regularly on athlete’s status by the Director of the Student Health Service.
UNIVERSITY GENERAL COUNSEL
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Contacted by Athletic Director regarding potential catastrophic incident;
Communicates with the Director of Athletics on issues related to the catastrophic event;
In consultation with the student-athlete’s family, medical personnel at the facility, the
University of Delaware’s Team Physician, Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of
Athletics for Media Relations and other appropriate personnel, drafts, approves, and
makes a public statement regarding the catastrophic incident;
Assists with the collection and security of all equipment / materials involved in the
incident;
Oversees, with the assistance of the Head Athletic Trainer, the compilation of complete
documentation of events from everyone involved in the incident with signatures;
Assists with the construction of a detailed time line of events related to the incident;
Other duties as needed.