The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is "teaming with UPMC Sports Medicine to provide all youth hockey players who have reached the point of allowable contact in games to have free baseline concussion testing," according to Shelly Anderson of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Beginning next month, players ages 11-18 "will be eligible for testing" through a program called "Heads Up Pittsburgh." Penguins President & CEO David Morehouse: "It's the same exact test that the NHL players get." Morehouse said that the project "has been in the works since October and wasn't a response" to Penguins C Sidney Crosby's concussion. Morehouse noted Crosby's concussion "added to the effort." The tests, "done while sitting at a computer, take about 30 minutes, usually cost $25 to $40 each," and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is "paying for the youth hockey testing." Local players "affiliated with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League, the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League or any USA Hockey program are eligible." While the young players are being tested, parents "will receive educational information about concussions from the Center for Disease Control and meet with UPMC Sports Medicine concussion program staff." Testing "will begin May 1 at the UPMC Sports Medicine Center" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/6). In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi notes neither reps from the Steelers nor the Pirates "could be reached for comment," but there are "no known plans for the region's other two professional teams to help provide free baseline tests for youth football or baseball players." Penguins Assistant GM Jason Botterill: "With concussions, it's so difficult because there is so much unknown. For parents and coaches to have the awareness this program will provide is a great step for keeping kids safe" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/6).
