Hard Hats For Little Heads Another Success Story

Texas ENT and Allergy, approximately 40 student-athletes from Texas A&M University’s Aggie Athletes Involved (AAI) along with other supporting sponsors have partnered with the local community to make all second graders in the Bryan, College Station Independent School districts safer and this year the Navasota second graders were also added.

“This is great community and educational event and if we save just one local family from having to deal with an emergency room visit due to an injury that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, then it is all worth it,” Dr. John Thornton, Texas A&M Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student Services, said. “I believe our student-athletes have just as much fun as the second graders.”

This marked the third year for “Hard Hats for Little Heads”, a presentation by Texas A&M athletes who utilize helmets in their competitions such as football, baseball, softball and equestrian. The student-athletes demonstrate how their helmets protect them in practice and competition.

Mayors from Bryan, College Station and Navasota were also present and participated in a relay race at the event which was held inside the Gilliam Indoor Track and Field Stadium.

The second-grade students received individual helmets and safety bags that emphasized the importance of wearing a helmet in athletic and recreational activities. Through sponsorships and generous donations from the Bryan-College Station community, Texas ENT, AAI and the school districts were able to make this presentation.

In the three-year period of this event, more than 6,000 second graders have received helmets and received information and education about how to prevent head injuries by wearing a helmet when bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, 4-wheeling or any other wheeled sport.

On average, 250 children in the United States under the age of 14 die each year from a bicycle crash. Another 300,000 are treated at emergency rooms for severe head injuries. Many of the accidents could have been prevented by the use of a helmet. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, yet only approximately 40 percent of cyclists wear a helmet. This event tries to ensure the Brazos Valley children are wearing helmets when they ride, glide or drive.