Athletics take heat precautions

Remember the football days of running and practicing despite the heat? Kiss those days goodbye. It is now illegal.
Athletic programs in Louisiana must use a West Bulb Globe Temperature Thermometer to determine the length of practices and the number of breaks.
It is part of the Korey Stringer Institute that Louisiana lawmakers adopted in 2022.
Vermilion Parish Athletic Director Marc Turner held a parish-wide meeting in May to go over heat-related safety protocols for athletics and band students.
The meeting is normally attended by cross country and football middle and high school coaches. This time, Turner included band directors from middle school and high schools.
“The training everyone took in May, makes everyone safe today,” said Turner.
Most teams in the parish begin football practice at 3 p.m., which is the hottest part of the day, and end around 5:30 p.m. It is not uncommon for the temperature outside to read 100 degrees.
Before practice begins, coaches or trainers use the bulb globe thermometer to take a reading of the temperature. This particular thermometer factors in the temperature, humidity, clouds, location of the sun in the sky and the wind. Then it gives a temperature reading. If the temperature is 92 degrees or above at 3 p.m., then safety protocols go into place.
For the last two weeks, it has been way above 92 degrees.
Vermilion Parish public schools have trainers at each school who handle cross-country and football practices. They are also keeping an eye on heat-related issues.
Not everyone is practicing outside because of the heat. North Vermilion Middle football team has practiced in the gym.
Erath Middle School teams practice in the shade.
Erath High head coach Eric LeBlanc said his team practices in full gear on Monday and Tuesday, then helmets and shorts on Wednesday.
Once the temperature is taken, practice begins.
The Bobcats practice for 20 minutes and then take a water break for five minutes.
EHS also has two large misting fans near the water. Also, ice baths are set up near the water if someone needs to cool down.
“We are trying to be as safe as possible,” said LeBlanc. “We give them as many breaks as possible. Our coaches are also trying to keep an eye on the players, but it is hard with 89 kids.”
Parish teams will participate in jamborees on Thursday and Friday, which begin at 6 p.m.
LeBlanc said he expects referees to allow for water breaks throughout the jamborees.
Abbeville High football coach Roderick Moy said he has his team practicing in the heat but they also take waterbreaks every 10 minutes.
“It (heat) is going to get worse before it gets better,” said Moy. “They are going to play in the heat, so we have to get used of it.”