The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) is partnering with football helmet manufacturer Riddell on a new initiative to provide a cutting-edge personalized football helmet platform to middle and high school tackle football programs across Marion County.
Aimed at advancing student-athlete protection in middle and high school tackle football, the RNI and Riddell will be distributing 100 Riddell Axiom helmets with InSite Analytics access, free of charge, across the following schools:
- Fairmont Senior High School
- East Fairmont Middle and High schools
- North Marion High School
- West Fairmont Middle School
- North Marion Husky Pups (serving co-op schools: Mannington, Barrackville, Fairview, and Monongah)
“The RNI NeuroPerformance Program in Marion County represents the most comprehensive student athlete safety initiative in the country,” Javier Cárdenas, M.D., chief of the RNI’s Division of Sports Neurology and director of the RNI Concussion and Brain Injury Center, said. “By combining cutting-edge helmet technology, baseline cognitive testing, and expert clinical oversight, we’re setting a national standard for protecting young athletes’ brains on and off the field.”
Additional components of the initiative include:
- Emergency action plan re-evaluation and implementation
- Traumatic head injury education
- CPR instructor training
- Access to virtual reality telemedicine services
- Computer-based testing with ImPACT
The Riddell Axiom smart helmet was carefully selected as the helmet of choice for this program due to its safety and performance features. The Axiom features Riddell’s TRU-FIT™ SYSTEM, which uses 3D imaging of each athlete’s head for a personalized fit and protection system to improve impact response. It also comes standard with InSite Smart Helmet Technology for impact sensing and reporting.
“Our primary objective is to enhance the safety and well-being of athletes across the county with hopes to then mirror this framework for the rest of our Mountain State,” Michael Ebbert, D.O., assistant professor of Sports Neurology, said. “With the additional support and partnership of Riddell, we hope to generate some new excitement within the community. Having grown up in Marion County, I feel particularly privileged to be part of such a collaborative effort.”
In addition to the helmets, each school will receive a paid subscription to the Riddell InSite Analytics platform, along with a Riddell Sideline Device. This allows coaches to identify trends and patterns in head impact data, helping them to develop targeted strategies for improved performance and reduced impact exposure.
Each school will also receive comprehensive starter kits, including helmet components to support in-season maintenance. RNI physicians and Riddell representatives will visit each school to personally measure and fit student-athletes for their Axiom helmets and address any questions about the new technology platform.
