Pens Foundation and UPMC Announce Open Enrollment for Concussion Testing

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and UPMC Sports Medicine are once again teaming up to offer the Heads UP Pittsburgh program, an innovative concussion awareness and baseline testing initiative for young athletes throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Testing for Heads UP Pittsburgh will begin on June 5th and end on August 2nd. Free neurocognitive baseline testing will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for 2,000 athletes ages 5+. All participants will receive an Agility Ladder to further improve their coordination, balance and foot speed.

Registration is now open and interested parents/guardians are advised to register early as available dates and locations book very quickly. To register, visit www.upmc.com/headsup.

"The Penguins are fully committed to baseline concussion testing and increasing awareness to prevent head and spinal injuries in youth sports," said Penguins President of Business Operations, Kevin Acklin. "We appreciate our partnership with UPMC Sports Medicine and encourage all local athletes to participate in this critical program."

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and UPMC Sports Medicine are celebrating the 13th year of Heads UP Pittsburgh. Since 2011, Heads UP has baseline tested over 28,000 young people across 35 different sports and provided concussion education awareness to over 58,000 parents, coaches, referees, and teachers. The program has expanded each year to serve more youth and include a wider spectrum of sports. Today, the program tests athletes in every major sport, cheerleading, dance, BMX biking, and many other physical activities.

This year, Heads UP testing will be offered at the following sites:

• UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex - Cranberry, PA

• UPMC Rooney Sports Complex - Pittsburgh, PA

• UPMC Bethel Park - Pittsburgh, PA

• UPMC Children's South - South Fayette, PA

• Community College Allegheny County North Campus - Pittsburgh, PA

• Community College Allegheny County Boyce Campus - Monroeville, PA

• Community College Beaver County - Monaca, PA

• UPMC Hamot Sterling Square - Erie, PA

• UPMC Jameson Hospital - New Castle, PA

The entire Heads UP testing process takes approximately one hour. Parents/guardians will meet with UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program staff to learn about Heads UP Pittsburgh. Licensed athletic trainers from UPMC Sports Medicine will supervise the program and testing. On the day of testing, participants must not be suffering from any symptoms of a concussion, nor have a suspected injury at the time of establishing their baseline.

For more information about the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, please visit: www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org