---
title: "From Sidelines to Safe Return: Inside a High School Concussion Case"
description: A high school athlete’s concussion highlights how baseline testing and Athletic Trainer–led care support safer return-to-play decisions.
image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg
---

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 June 23, 2026

# From Sidelines to Safe Return: Inside a High School Concussion Case

![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·   1 minute read

![Articles for Athletic Trainers and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png?width=500&height=150&name=Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png)

Concussions remain a common risk in tackle and contact sports, but advances in baseline testing technology are helping Athletic Trainers and healthcare providers identify injuries sooner and guide safer returns to play.

<https://www.avera.org/balance/medical-minute/coordinated-concussion-care-helps-athletes-safely-return-to-comp/>At Roncalli High School, freshman Brady Richardt competes year-round in football, basketball, and baseball.

*“Here at Roncalli, I do football and basketball and then during the summer, I also play baseball,” Richardt said. “So I get to knock people on their butts basically.”*

That physical style of play led to a scary moment during a routine football practice.

*“It was hot out, a normal practice. I was on the scout team… and I just got knocked,” Richardt said.*

When his helmet came off, Athletic Trainer Theresa Backous knew immediate action was needed.

*“I saw his helmet come off and so that's always a concern,” Backous said.*

After Richardt reported feeling “a little off,” Backous removed him from play right away.

*“I could look in his eyes and see that something wasn’t right,” she said. “So I said let’s err on the side of caution, sat him on the sidelines, and called his parents.”*

Before the season began, Richardt completed a [baseline concussion assessment using Sway](https://www.avera.org/balance/medical-minute/game-changer-the-importance-of-concussion-testing-for-brain-heal/), a mobile concussion testing tool that provides objective balance and cognitive data. That baseline allowed Backous and the medical team at Avera Health to collaborate using shared information throughout his recovery.

*“The biggest concerns are long-term complications, things like post-concussion syndrome and difficulty with cognition,” said Gabe Gehrke, a physician assistant with Avera Health. “These reports give us a measurement point so we can follow an athlete over time as they return to activity.”*

Richardt progressed through a gradual, Athletic Trainer–guided return-to-play protocol before safely returning to sport. Now recovering, he hopes his experience encourages others to take concussions seriously.

*“I hope they don’t cheat the system,” Richardt said. “Because it could come back to bite.”*

For Backous, the message is clear.

*“Concussions affect your whole entire life,” she said. “It’s really important they understand how serious this is to their health.”*

Read the full story [here](https://www.avera.org/balance/medical-minute/coordinated-concussion-care-helps-athletes-safely-return-to-comp/)!

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