USA Fencing

Colorado Springs, Colorado (February 15, 2022) — USA Fencing officially announces a partnership with TeachAids, a nonprofit leader in producing award-winning global education innovation, to further understanding of the invisible injury of concussions. USA Fencing joins 22 other US Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Governing Bodies to disseminate the CrashCourse concussion education, including formal certification. 

TeachAids creates breakthrough technology to solve persistent problems in health education around the world. Their products are designed with input from a team of world-class academics, researchers, doctors, and athletes associated with leading organizations and institutions such as Stanford University, Harvard University, the Mayo Clinic, UCSF and beyond. TeachAids has developed "CrashCourse," a suite of interactive products focused on the prevention and treatment of concussions and related mental health issues. This education has been designed to teach athletes, parents, and coaches about concussions. CrashCourse products include scientific knowledge to help dispel myths and misconceptions about the concussion recovery process. They also serve as resources for athletic trainers, rehab specialists and physicians.

“The health and safety of our athletes is always our primary concern. We are excited to join with TeachAids in an added effort through education to enhance the understanding of head injuries for our athletes, parents, coaches and officials at all levels,” says Suzie Riewald, FenceSafe Manager of USA Fencing.

“It has been an incredible experience to work with the leadership of USA Fencing to bring our concussion education to their participants, coaches and officials of this amazing sport. When the recognition of a concussion and the knowledge of the possible impact is understood, athletes, parents and coaches are better prepared to manage this injury,” adds Dr. Piya Sorcar, Founder and CEO of TeachAids.

Dr. Jeremy Summers, Director of Medicine for USA Fencing (2015-2021), summarizes by saying “Increasing educational awareness not only of our athletes, coaches, and parents but also of our officials for USA Fencing events is one of our strategic goals for 2022. The compelling interactive CrashCourse education products are a timely and great supplement to this mission. This will prove to be a most valuable partnership.”

Dr. Adam Thompson, Sports Medicine Contractor for USA Fencing, adds ”A five-year epidemiology research project on head injuries within USA Fencing was recently presented at the International Olympic Committee World Conference and an abstract of that study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The research outcomes were positive and informative. The decision by USAF administration to increase medical providers at fencing events as well as promote rule changes and provide education to participants, coaches, referees, and parents proved influential in the prevention, identification, and management of head injuries. CrashCourse is yet another initiative that will directly benefit the fencing community well.”

The CrashCourse curriculum, including certification, will be instituted for free throughout USA Fencing’s programs nationwide starting today via their website and other channels. To learn more about CrashCourse by TeachAids, visit http://crashcourse.teachaids.org.

About TeachAids
TeachAids is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit social venture that creates breakthrough software addressing numerous persistent problems. Their HIV/AIDS health education has been instituted in 82 countries. Also being used worldwide is their CoviDB education initiative, a community-edited platform organizing resources across a comprehensive set of topics relating to COVID-19. In partnership with 23 of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees’ National Governing Bodies, TeachAids has also launched the CrashCourse multi-sport concussion education product suite. These evidence-based applications are available online and in virtual reality. All TeachAids products are available at no cost. For more information on TeachAids visit TeachAids.org.