Aug. 13: Fall Sports Begin.

That was the events notice at the top of the Northampton Area School District website Monday.

While the first day of fall, Sept. 22, is about one month away, on Monday night the Northampton Area School Board was given a fall sports preview from none other than Todd Bowser, the new NASD athletic director.

In the offing for NASD, but not this fall, might be a lacrosse team.

The preview included important new information and policies being incorporated into NASD and other Pennsylvania school athletic programs to prevent student athlete injuries and accidental deaths.

Bowser said that he met July 31 with NASD's 67 athletic coaches, who have fulfilled the requirements to be certified in handling sudden cardiac arrest.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act was passed by the state legislature and signed into law May 30 by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett. It's going into effect before the start of the 2012-13 school year. Pennsylvania is the first state in the United States to enact such a law.

The law mandates school officials to provide information for parents of student athletes about sudden cardiac arrest. A parent or guardian must sign and return a form to school officials before a student's sports participation.

A student athlete who exhibits sudden cardiac arrest symptoms must be removed from a game immediately. Before going back onto the field, the student must receive medical clearance.

It is recommended that portable defibrillators, known as AEDs, be made available during practice and at games. It is also recommended that coaches know CPR, which is not required in Pennsylvania.

In November 2011, Corbett signed into law the Safety in Youth Sports Act, which increases awareness and prevention of head injuries and traumatic brain injury among student athletes. The law went into effect July 1.

The law requires a student showing symptoms of a concussion to be sidelined and prevented from participating until cleared by a medical professional.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is providing guidelines about head injuries to coaches, who are to share the information with students and parents. Pennsylvania is the 35th state to enact such a law.

In a related matter at Monday night's meeting, the school board voted 9-0 to authorize a sports medicine services agreement between NASD and St. Luke's Physician Group Inc.

Bowser, along with NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik, visited with the district's practicing sports teams and coaches Monday. Sports practices they visited included football, boys and girls soccer, and field hockey.

"It couldn't have been a nicer day [Monday]. Hopefully, that's a good omen," Bowser said.

Monday was the official start of fall sports practice for the school year in Pennsylvania.

Approximately 459 middle school and high school athletes were at the first day of practice. That's about 20 percent of the NASD student population, according to Bowser.

"Cheerleading is a sport," Kovalchik reminded the board.

Middle school and high school band camps also began Monday.

"I think we have a great group of coaches – top-notch, quality people," said Bowser. "I know they will take the [sports] program to the next level. The foundation is great here, but the goal is to make it even better."

"He's [Bowser] been doing a great job since July 1, which was his first day [of NASD employment]," Kovalchik said.

"I'm very excited to be here. We're settling in. Our two boys will be attending Franklin Elementary," said Bowser who, with his wife, also has a 3-year-old and 1-year old.

During his presentation, Bowser said he met with East Allen Township officials concerning use of Bicentennial Park for boys and girls fall soccer. This year, girls fall soccer league play is scheduled in the fall.

Later in the meeting, the board voted 9-0 to authorize a contract between NASD and East Allen for use of the athletic fields. There is no cost to NASD.

"They will not be charging us anything for use of the park. So, that's a nice gesture," Kovalchik said.

Bowser said he met with a group of parents who would like to see a lacrosse team added to NASD's sports roster.

"We'll see if there's enough interest and if we are moving in this direction," Bowser said.