WVU Medicine Thomas Foundation, WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and South Charleston High School Partner to Advance Student-Athlete Safety with New Football Helmets and AED

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Thomas Foundation, in partnership with the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, South Charleston High School and Riddell, invested in student-athlete safety through the donation of 50 new Riddell Axiom football helmets and a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the South Charleston High School football program.

 

The helmets, made possible through $35,000 from the Thomas Foundation, along with the donation of the new AED, were unveiled on August 27 at South Charleston High School ahead of the 2026-2027 football season. Student-athletes, coaches and athletic trainers joined representatives from WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, the Thomas Foundation, the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and Riddell for the event.

 

The new AED provides an additional critical layer of protection for student-athletes and staff, giving the school access to lifesaving equipment in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency and reflects a comprehensive commitment to student-athlete safety both on and off the field.

 

In addition to the helmets and AED, South Charleston High School received a paid subscription to the Riddell InSite Analytics platform and a Riddell Sideline Device. The technology provides coaches with access to head-impact data, allowing them to identify trends and patterns and develop targeted strategies designed to improve performance and reduce impact exposure.

 

“This partnership represents our commitment to supporting the communities we serve, especially our home community of South Charleston,” Greg Rosencrance, M.D., president and CEO of WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, said. “By bringing together the expertise of our medical team, the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, South Charleston High School and Riddell, we are proud to support the athletes, coaches and families who make this community so special and provide them with tools that can help make the game safer.”

 

Javier Cárdenas, M.D., chair of Neurology at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and a nationally renowned expert in sports neurology, concussion and traumatic brain injury, said the partnership demonstrated the importance of taking a proactive approach to athlete health.

 

“Protecting young athletes requires more than responding when an injury occurs,” Cárdenas said. “We need to use the best available science, technology and clinical expertise to understand risk and make informed decisions. Providing coaches with meaningful information about head impacts is another important tool in that effort.”

 

South Charleston High School head football coach Donnie Mays said the new equipment and technology would be valuable additions to the program.

 

“Our first priority is always the safety of our players,” Mays said. “We’re grateful to WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, the Thomas Foundation, the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and Riddell for investing in our athletes. Having this technology and information available to our coaching and athletic training staff will help us make better-informed decisions while preparing our players to compete.”

 

The Riddell Axiom helmet is designed with advanced protection technologies, while InSite Analytics provides access to data intended to help teams better understand head-impact exposure. Together, the equipment and technology represent a comprehensive approach to supporting player safety. Combined with the new AED, the equipment and technology represent a comprehensive approach to supporting player safety and preparedness.