As the number of participants in high school football rise annually, exertional heat stroke deaths continue to plague the high school football athlete. Exertional heat stroke policy guidelines are available, but are being underutilized for creation and implementation at the high school setting. Athletic administrators have the task of researching, developing, and executing exertional heat policy for their coaches, parents, and athletes. Athletic directors need to be informed and encouraged to infiltrate the help of athletic trainers. Athletic trainers are educated and trained to prevent, recognize and treat exertional heat stroke and should be used for the development of exertional heat stroke policy. The purpose of this study is to look at the athletic director’s perceptions of exertional heat stroke and the development of policy to prevent injury and death.
