UIL heat-safety recommendations, requirements for outdoor sports

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Athletes are stepping onto the field this season with new UIL recommendations and requirements for treating heat-related illnesses.

On July 21, the Texas High School Coaches Association held a conference in San Antonio. One main discussion was the UIL heat protocols and procedures for the 2024-2025 school year. In 2023, the UIL approved the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as the recommended forecast measurement to determine modifications in outdoor activity. This year, schools have requirements set in place based on the measurement of the WBGT.

One new requirement is all schools must have rapid on-site cooling using water immersion or equivalent means if the WBGT is 80 or higher. Secondly, schools must have emergency actions for heat-related illnesses in their mandatory Emergency Action Plan.

Harlingen South High School has been using the WBGT measurement for the past two years. Head football coach Israel Gonzalez Jr. said the school district always tries to be ahead of the curve when it comes to UIL guidelines.

The football team and marching band have been practicing during the mornings to avoid hot afternoon temperatures.

“Being able to come out here early in the morning, we’re able to dodge some of the heat and make sure we can get our workouts in," Gonzalez said.

The athletic trainers have implemented rapid cooling zones and have many different techniques to reduce body temperatures in affected athletes.

“UIL passed out the guidelines that say now anything above 80, we have to have rapid cooling zones, and we have cooling zones, we have mister sprays, we have everything ready for these kids," athletic trainer Benjamin Garcia said.

Garcia said the cooling zones and protocols are important to treat heat strokes and heat exhaustion promptly.

“Rapid response is the main thing. That’s why those cooling zones are in place. We lift and put them in, we dunk them in cold water and we’re trying to reduce their core temperature from increasing. We want to rapidly cool them down as much as possible," Garcia said.

Moving forward into the start of the season and the start of more demanding practices, coach Gonzalez said heat risks will continue to be a top priority.

“Parents are entrusting us with their most prized possession and we want to make sure that we’re doing our job to make sure those kids stay safe, come out here, have fun, and get to play a game that they love," Gonzalez said.