Keeping athletes cool in the heat for H.S. football
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The excitement of high school Friday night football is finally here! But all this excitement is stifled in the midst of oppressive summer heat.
ABC11 talked to Broughton High School's Athletic Director Aaron Minger about taking care of the players in the heat.
"Wake County has a lot of good policies and procedures as far as hot weather, and it's just been ingrained from the athletic trainers in the area for a long time so they know what to look for," said Minger.
During Friday's Broughton versus Cary High School game, they will have several nationally certified athletic trainers on the field who know how to look for any signs of trouble.
Teams also have several coolers on hand with ice water and towels for players. They will give players frequent water breaks and even substitute players in and out of the game more than usual.
Officials are keeping players inside the school, in the air conditioning, for as long as possible before they hit the field for warm-ups.
The players have been practicing in this heat for weeks, and players have been told who to go to right away if they feel like the heat might be getting to them.
Friday's game starts at 7 p.m.
