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Amid rising concerns over extreme heat, Ohio remains one of the few states that does not require high schools to adjust athletic practices during dangerously high temperatures.
This policy has drawn criticism from Athletic Trainers and health professionals, who point to the alarming increase in heat-related deaths among student-athletes.
Mike Gordon, the head Athletic Trainer at St. Xavier High School and the Southwest Ohio representative for the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association, emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
"It's way too high of a number to have. Eight high schoolers, nine if you include a middle schooler, in the United States [have died] in the last three weeks."
While schools like St. Xavier have proactively moved practices to cooler times of the day, such actions are merely recommendations from the Ohio High School Athletic Association, not mandated requirements.
This approach contrasts sharply with neighboring Kentucky, where state law mandates practice adjustments when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Kentucky ranks 8th on the Korey Stringer Institute’s list of states with strong heat safety regulations, while Ohio lags at 39th due to its weaker policies.
Aaron Himmler, head Athletic Trainer for UC’s football team and president of the Greater Cincinnati Athletic Trainers' Association, advocates for stricter regulations.
"A lot of high schools do a phenomenal job of making sure that the kids are taken care of the way that they should be. But you don't have those resources everywhere. So, the help and guidance have to come from someplace else."
With heat-related deaths on the rise nationwide, including over 2,300 fatalities last year, there is growing pressure for Ohio to strengthen its heat safety measures to protect young athletes.
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