Medical clearance is the process by which the health and fitness of a student-athlete is evaluated by the Sports Medicine staff to determine whether or not it is reasonably safe for the student-athlete to participate in athletics, whether upon arrival to campus as a freshman or transfer or after an injury has occurred. The ultimate authority in the medical clearance or disqualification of any student-athlete lies with the Team Physician of the College of William and Mary.  The information below is provided to help you to understand the clearance process as well as your responsibility to provide the necessary medical information in a timely manner to keep the process moving.

 
NO STUDENT-ATHLETE MAY PARTICIPATE IN ANY ACTIVITIES WITH HIS OR HER TEAM UNTIL MEDICAL CLEARANCE IS GRANTED.

Every student-athlete, prior to an intercollegiate athletic practice or event, must have a completed Student Health Center Health Evaluation Form, including current and up-to-date immunizations, on file at the Student Health Center, and the Athletic Participation Physical Form on file in the athletic training facility.  A physician or nurse practitioner at the Student Health Center will review these forms and their medical record and that physician or nurse practitioner will issue medical clearance.  The Team Physician retains the final authorization concerning the disqualification or approval of any student-athlete for participation in any intercollegiate athletic activities at The College of William and Mary.  In accordance with VA Code 8.01-99 and 5.1-2900, the Student Health Center staff may disclose any needed information to the BOC certified athletic trainers within the Athletic Department for the ongoing care of a student.

Each following year, all returning athletes must submit a completed Interim History For Returning Varsity Athletes to Student Health Center as part of their medical record.  A physician's or nurse practitioner's review of the student-athlete's medical record, including that form, will constitute the annual re-evaluation for athletic pre-participation clearance.

Where the student-athlete's health history warrants, a physician at the Student Health Center may require the student-athlete to be examined at Student Health Center or by the appropriate specialist before clearance for intercollegiate athletic participation is granted.  All student-athletes at The College of William and Mary must have medical clearance prior to any intercollegiate athletic practices or events.

Previous injuries not fully rehabilitated may disqualify a student-athlete from participation until approval is received from the Team Physician or consulting specialist.  If a student-athlete is under the care of a physician not associated with The College of William and Mary Division of Sports Medicine, a Request for Information Form will be sent to the student-athlete to give to the physician.  Written permission must be received by the Division of Sports Medicine indicating the nature of the condition, the care required, any activity-limiting factors associated with the injury, and when the student-athlete may resume full athletic participation.  A physical therapy consultation may be required of any student-athlete who undergoes surgery, who is under the care of a physician not associated with The College of William and Mary Division of Sports Medicine, or who sustains a non-athletic injury.

If, during the course of the year, a student-athlete is injured and/or restricted from participation by a physician, the Division of Sports Medicine must receive that physician's written or oral approval before any intercollegiate athletic activity may be resumed.  Unless a student-athlete receives an injury that restricts them from play in one particular season, they are cleared to participate in any sport throughout that academic year after the initial medical clearance.

If a student-athlete is evaluated by a health care provider, including but not limted to physicians, osteopaths, specialists, chiropractors, podiatrists, etc., for any reason, the Sports Medicine staff must receive a copy of all medical records relevant to that injury or illness.  This information is used by the Team Physician to aid in the decision on medical clearance or disqualification.

NO STUDENT-ATHLETE WILL BE GRANTED MEDICAL CLEARANCE UNTIL THIS INFORMATION IS ON FILE WITH THE DIVISION OF SPORTS MEDICINE

If you plan to seek care outside of the William and Mary Sports Medicine Network, you must do the following:

1. Notify a member of the Sports Medicine staff that you plan to seek care outside of the William and Mary Sports Medicine Network PRIOR to the scheduled appointment.
2. Request a Request for Information Form from the Division of Sports Medicine OR download a copy of the form from this site.
3. Take this form to your provider and have he or she complete the form and gather all of the requested materials.
4. Bring the form and all materials to the Division of Sports Medicine upon your return to campus.

If you have questions about this process, or were forced to seek emergency care and were unable to notify the Sports Medicine staff prior to your evaluation, please call (757) 221-3407.

For instructions and a complete list of all forms required by the College of William and Mary and the Division of Sports Medicine to participate in athletics and establish eligibility for coverage under our athletic insurance policy, follow the appropriate link below: