KCTV5 investigates the KSHSAA heat rules following the death of an SMSD football player

SHAWNEE, Kan. (KCTV) – After releasing an autopsy report into the death of a Shawnee Mission Northwest football player in August, the school district said it also conducted an investigation and found the practice followed rules set by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA ).

Shawnee Mission Northwest football player Ovet Gomez Regalado collapsed just 15 minutes into offseason practice on August 14th. The Johnson County Medical Examiner's report indicates he died as a result of heat stroke in which obesity was a factor. Additionally, the heat index that day was reported at 112 degrees.

Heat Index is no longer the preferred temperature measurement in heat guidelines for school activities. The KSHSAA's thermal rules use a more complex measurement, but the rules regarding temperature are only recommendations and not requirements.

Jeremy Holaday, assistant executive director of the KSHSAA, said the only requirement in the offseason is what activities students can do.

The only thing that would be allowed at this point would be weights and conditioning,” Holaday said. “Obviously we have our recommended wet bulb globe thermometer policy that this school could use throughout the summer, no question.”

A wet bulb thermometer takes into account not only air temperature and relative humidity, but also sun angle, shade, cloud cover and wind.

Dr. Kevin Kloesel, a meteorologist and board member of the Event Safety Alliance, explained why this measurement is a better tool than the heat index when it comes to activity safety.

“It’s a much more comprehensive index of how your body interacts with the environment,” Kloesel said. “As wet bulb temperatures rise, there is typically an increase in hospitalizations or emergency room visits due to heat. We don’t see the same consistency with the heat index, which we have used for decades.”

The KSHSAA recommended activity modification guideline suggests moving exercise indoors at 89.8 degrees. Kloesel estimated that the reading at the time of the 911 call would have been between 89 and 91 degrees that day.

Shawnee Mission School District spokesman David Smith did not address the exact conditions that day, but explained the guidelines set by the district. He said they use a wet bulb thermometer in season. In the off-season, when training sessions are short, he applies the table to air temperature.

But there is another factor troubling Kloesel that is not included in district policy or KSHSAA guidelines.

“These artificial turf fields get way too hot, especially in August and even into September,” he said. This isn't just a problem in Kansas. It's Minnesota, it's Maine, it's Utah. Everywhere we see these very dangerous conditions occurring in August.”

He would like to see more organizations begin to consider surface as a factor, whether it's soccer on grass or bands on an asphalt parking lot. Kloesel is the chief meteorologist for the Drum Corps International tour, which takes place every summer. He is not aware of any state activity association that uses this metric.

“It doesn’t just lead to heat illness situations. It also causes skin burns,” Kloesel said. “We're trying to push that envelope to make sure people understand that this is a problem of the environment, the entire environment, not just the air in which you march or practice, but the surface the one you march or.” Practicing on it can be just as important as the air in which you do it.”

Holaday said the KSHSAA regularly reviews and revise its policies and is doing so again in light of this tragedy.

“Our sports medicine advisory committee has certainly discussed the situation and is still trying to uncover it to make sure we're doing the right thing,” he said.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.