Classical athlete promotes sports safety in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — When people hear the word concussion, the first sport they think of is football.

A sport that isn’t far behind in most concussions is girls soccer.

“My sophomore year, midway through my soccer season, I was tripped and hit the ground and my head. I remember feeling dizzy,” Classical High School senior Sophie Baldwin said.

What Baldwin didn’t know, is she suffered her first concussion, one of three that would force her to miss her junior season, but her injury wouldn’t stop her from making an impact.

“When I had my first concussion, I went to my doctor and the first thing they asked me was if I had a concussion baseline test and I didn’t know what that was,” she said.

A concussion baseline test is a pre-injury evaluation establishing an athlete’s normal cognitive functions and capabilities.

It is a test Baldwin thought every athlete should take.

She secured a grant with the help of the Rhode Island Brian Association that allows every athlete in Providence Public Schools to have access to a concussion baseline test.

“It’s open for all high schools. The grant covers 2,500 tests, the number of athletes in Providence Public Schools. So no matter what sport you play, what school you go to, you have access to the test,” Baldwin said.