1. Liability insurance is provided for all University employees. Extreme caution should be taken by all members of the coaching staff to avoid negligence relating to their legal responsibilities.
2. A medical insurance program for intercollegiate athletes is provided by the University of Delaware. The coverage is secondary, not primary. This means that family insurance coverage shall be applied first. Expenses from injuries incurred above and beyond the family coverage would be eligible for consideration for University of Delaware coverage. Bills for athletic injuries are to be submitted first to the family insurance company, not to Athletics.
The program is described in detail in two brochures which are updated and distributed annually to head coaches. The titles are "University of Delaware Medical Insurance Coverage and Procedures for the Student- Athlete and Cheer Unit" and "University of Delaware Sports Medicine Clinic and Training Room Procedures for the Student Athlete and Cheer Unit".
In addition, these brochures are sent to parents/ guardians by each student athlete at the time of his/her Sports Medicine Clinic physical examination. Family medical insurance information is requested at this time. Coaches need to familiarize themselves with the brochures each year.
The following policies and procedures relate to medical care and insurance coverage:
a. The University of Delaware requires a medical examinationperformed by the Student Health Service or Sports Medicine Clinic prior to a student-athlete's initial entrance into the intercollegiate athletics program. The physical examination must be completed by our medical personnel prior to ANY physical activity. (tryouts, practice, supervised conditioning, competition, etc. ). Football players, however, must have an annual medical examination. Coaches are responsible for prohibiting students without physical examinations from participating. Coaches who do not comply will be held responsible and be subject to disciplinary action.
Coaches need to provide lists of those individuals expected to try out, to the Sports Medicine Clinic well in advance of the season.
b. A yearly recertification will be required once the original examination has been performed.
c. No student-athlete will be provided athletic equipment nor permitted use of the weight or training room until the above procedure has been completed.
d. All injuries must be recorded in the Training Room log. Athletes must be informed to report all injuries, etc. to the head or assistant trainers immediately for proper record keeping and possible referral to the team physician. Eligibility for consideration for insurance coverage is dependent on an "Athletic Injury Report" form.
e. Medical treatment by non-University of Delaware personnel must be authorized by the Sports Medicine Physician or his/her appointee.
f. Unauthorized medical treatment is the sole responsibility of the athlete and/or his/her parents/guardians.
g. All surgery treatment, therapy and care must be arranged in accordance with the requirements of the student-athletes primary insurance coverage.
h. See "Medical Insurance Coverage Procedures" and "Sports Medicine/Training Room" for additional pertinent information, including coverage/non-coverage of prescription costs and much more.
3. Volunteer coaches are covered both by University liability and Athletics accident insurance for eligible incidents. The latter is secondary coverage and volunteer coaches should be encouraged to provide adequate coverage for themselves, individually. Coverage for volunteer coaches is to the extent of basic accident coverage. Volunteer (unpaid) coaches, however, are not covered by University automobile insurance and may not drive University-owned vehicles.
4. Exit physical examinations are encouraged for all student-athletes completing their eligibility. If a student-athlete chooses not to have an exit physical, the University is relieved of any liability and/or financial responsibility for any damages or injuries sustained as a result of athletics participation.
5. Questions in the insurance/medical area should be directed to the Associate Director of Athletics, Business & External Affairs.