Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/96026
news & notes prevention and treatment. One way to raise concussion awareness is through baseline testing. Baseline testing can provide athletes with a way to detect concussion symptoms as well as provide an important tool for physicians to make return-to-play decisions when an athlete does incur a concussion. NDBC has five locations in the metro area. The National Dizzy and Balance Center will answer critical questions regarding concussions throughout the season in the Minnesota Hockey Newsletter and on our Let's Play Hockey page. For more information, please visit stopdizziness. com or call 952-345-3000. Gear Up Minnesota! Gear Up Minnesota! grant applications are now being accepted for the 20122013 season. Last year, Gear Up Minnesota! provided 39 associations with sets of starter hockey equipment, with a total worth more than $130,000. A starter set includes a bag, helmet, breezers, gloves, elbow and shin pads. Associations can use equipment starter sets to attract new players and make hockey more accessible by eliminating the initial cost of equipment. To apply for a grant, please visit minnesotahockey.org. A special thank you to the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Fruchi, West Bend Insurance, Subway and other supporters for making Gear Up Minnesota! a reality. National Dizzy & Balance Center National Dizzy and Balance Center: Concussion Awareness and Management Concussions have increasingly become a concerning topic throughout all sports. Minnesota Hockey and the National Dizzy and Balance Center (NDBC) recognize the importance of being on the forefront of educating parents, coaches and players about concussion New Faces Executive Director Minnesota Hockey is pleased to announce that Glen Andresen has been named as the new Executive Director. Glen, a Duluth native, is joining us from the Minnesota Wild, most recently as Manager of Digital Media. Glen's unique combination of creativity, hockey knowledge and marketing experience will serve us well as we continue our focus on growing the game, player development and ensuring a safe environment. Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month The Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month recognizes the many wonderful off-ice volunteers who are so vital to the success of a hockey association. Ice Scheduler, Team Manager, Tournament Director, Mites Coordinator, Recruiting Chairperson….the list is endless! Total Hockey and Minnesota Hockey want to make sure that the time and energy these volunteers selflessly dedicate to hockey is properly acknowledged. HEP Committee Chair Steve Snyder has been appointed to the position of Hockey Education Program (HEP) Committee Chair. Snyder has been a member of the White Bear Lake Hockey Association for almost 15 years, including the last three as their Girls' Coordinator. As HEP Committee Chair, he will lead a team responsible for ensuring all youth hockey players have a positive athletic experience as a result of a progressive approach to skill development and accountability, along with parenting and coaching education. Safesport Coordinator Scott Gray has been selected as Minnesota Hockey's SafeSport Coordinator. Scott has served Minnesota Hockey in a number of roles including Vice President of Publicity and Promotion, as well as Chair of the Background Screening Committee. Scott will implement the protocols set forth in the SafeSport Program to ensure that all efforts are put forth to best protect the safety of Minnesota Hockey's participants. Do you know someone who should be considered for the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month? If so, please visit minnesotahockey.org and fill out an application. One volunteer will be featured each month. That volunteer will also receive a $50 Total Hockey gift card. In addition, five sets of starter hockey gear will be contributed in his/her name to their association, courtesy of Total Hockey. Please contact us at info@minnesotahockey.org with any questions. December.2012 // minnesotahockeyjournal.com 19