Starting in January 2014, “Rocky’s Law” goes into effect here in Illinois.  The law requires all Illinois high schools to purchase insurance that will provide up to $3 million in medical costs over a five year period if a student-athlete is injured during a high school sports match. The law is named after a former Eisenhower High School football player, Rasul “Rocky” Clark. Clark was severely injured in a 2000 football game which left him paralyzed from the neck down. At the time, Eisenhower High School was one of the few Illinois schools that provided additional insurance for such catastrophic injuries.

The goal of Rocky’s Law is to provide a stronger safety net for student athletes who suffer such debilitating injuries. Families are eligible for the insurance after paying the initial $50,000.00 in medical expenses. While no one ever wants to see a young man or woman suffer these terrible injuries, maybe Rocky’s Law can provide some assistance in the wake of such tragedies.

The only issue remaining is the fact that no penalties exist if a school district does not purchase the mandated insurance in January 2014. It begs the question – how can a law be enforced if no penalty exists? And what will happen if a student athlete is injured in 2014 and his or her respective school neglected to purchase the required insurance under “Rocky’s” Law?