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Athletics department ranks among best in country
for student-athlete health care
By: Andrea Frainier
Posted: 11/18/08
The National College Players Association, which examined how universities treat their injured student-athletes, awarded SJSU an A+ for the athletic department's medical policies.
"I would expect that," said Scott Shaw, director of sports medicine at SJSU. "I feel we do give quality care to our student-athletes at San Jose State. It doesn't surprise me that we did receive an A+."
The association asked all Division I schools to complete a questionnaire about the athletic program's medical policies. Based on the school's answers, the association assigned them a letter grade from A+ through F. Schools that did not fill out the survey automatically received an F.
Ramogi Huma, president of the National College Players Association, said every school started with an A+.
"Depending on how they answer the questions for the survey, they may have deductions from that point," he said. "San Jose State had no deductions whatsoever."
The questionnaire asked if schools had year-round health coverage for its athletes, if the school ensures that 100 percent of medical expenses incurred from sports-related injuries are paid for and if there are any out-of-pocket medical expenses for athletes.
It also asked if athletes are allowed to seek a second medical opinion independent of the athletic program and how much time the school would pay for medical expenses incurred from a sports-related injury after the athlete's eligibility expired.
SJSU is one of 23 schools that received an A- or better nationwide.
The grading system is part of the association's Medical Policy Disclosure Campaign to provide recruits and college athletes with an understanding of the medical policies of Division I schools.
"Division I football and basketball generates millions of dollars every year," Huma said. "Few athletes know that it's optional for a school to provide medical coverage for their sports-related injuries."
Huma said he started the organization when he was a football player at UCLA and was told that the NCAA wouldn't allow UCLA to pay for medical expenses.
"The more we dug into the issue of health coverage, we found out that medical expenses are not mandatory for schools to pay," Huma said. "I think the health issue should be one of the recruit's top priorities when choosing a school regardless how prominent the athletic program is. If you have a permanent injury … you could be stuck with a lot of debt."
Shaw said athletes who participate in SJSU's athletic program are covered if they get injured in a game, at practice or during conditioning.
"We are going to cover their injuries and nothing's going to come out of the student-athlete's or their parent's pockets," Shaw said.
Shaw said that despite the CSU budget cuts, there are no plans to cut the medical policy program.
"We do many things for cost containment," Shaw said. Shaw said the university has contracts with facilities and surgery centers to keep costs down and a team of physicians who voluntarily treat athletes.
"One of the nice things we have is a fantastic student health center on campus that many students aren't aware of," Shaw said.
Maricela Avila, a senior business finance major, said she thinks universities should cover their athletes' medical expenses.
"I think they should because (athletes) are an important part of the university and they represent us," she said.
Jay Lontoc, a senior computer engineering major, agreed.
"I think they should have 100-percent coverage since they play for school and they risk their own health playing sports," he said. "I think they should do the same for other students too because we have the gym for recreational activities and they should … feel safe being here."
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