The following is a detailed list of medical requirements to participate in Chatham Athletics. These requirements are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all Chatham student-athletes. If an incoming student-athlete is under 18 years of age, their parent/guardian must be present to sign all paperwork upon arrival to Chatham.
All forms can be completed and/or uploaded in the Teamworks app by August 8, 2025.
Pre-Participation Physical Examination
Every student-athlete is required complete a comprehensive physical examination on the UPMC Physical Examination Form. This includes first years, transfers, and returning student-athletes. The pre-participation physical can be completed by a family doctor or at a walk-in clinic, such as Med Express or Urgent Care, as long as it is completed on the Chatham-provided form and returned on time.
If the student-athlete has had a surgery, injury or illness and was/is under the care of a medical specialist within a calendar year of the competitive season, please bring a written clearance to participate from that specialist, as well as the specialist's contact information.
If the student-athlete has a known pre-existing medical condition (heart murmur, kidney disorder, chronic illness, sickle cell trait etc.), they must bring with them a written clearance to participate from a specializing physician. This letter will remain in the student-athlete's medical file and is valid for only one year. Please be sure the note specifies collegiate varsity athletics and is recertified every school year if continuing athletic participation.
Student-athletes who do not pass the pre-participation physical examination and screening, or do not have one completed in time, will not be permitted to participate in any team sanctioned physical activity until they are cleared by the athletic training staff in conjunction with the Team Physician. Until such time, the head coach and staff will not permit student-athletes under special restrictions to participate in any physical activity involved in the intercollegiate sport.
Student-athletes that become injured or ill anytime during the school year will have to be cleared by the athletic trainers in conjunction with the team physician before participation can resume or another sport can be played.
Physical Form (PDF)
Medical Health History Questionnaire
All student-athletes must complete the medical health history questionnaire annually. Any question that has a 'yes' answer needs to have a thorough explanation in the space provided at the end of the form. Information from this form will be reviewed by our team doctor as part of official clearance for participation.
Health History Form (PDF)
Student-athletes who willfully withhold information pertaining to their health status will relieve Chatham University of all responsibilities should a subsequent injury, re-injury or illness occur.
All injuries sustained prior to the pre-participation physical examination must be reported.
All known diseases must be reported.
Loss of a paired organ must be reported.
All illnesses must be reported.
Sickle Cell Trait Testing
All incoming athletes NEW to Chatham must complete sickle cell trait testing in compliance with NCAA bylaw 17.1.6.4.1 (effective 8/1/2022). Knowing one's sickle cell status is important when acclimating to heat and/or participating in intense exercise. New Chatham athletes can submit their sickle cell trait status via Front Rush in August prior to the start of the new school year. Athletes should be able the obtain this information from their home physician or pediatrician if they were tested at birth. If an athlete is unsure of their sickle cell trait status or if they have never been tested, they can request a test from their physician or through a testing lab.
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Sickle Cell Trait Fact Sheet
Order a Sickle Cell Test
Authorization to Obtain Newborn Screening Results and for Disclosure of Protected Health Information
Insurance
All student-athletes must have proof of current health insurance coverage to participate in collegiate athletics at Chatham. Â Any changes to health insurance during the academic year must be reported immediately. Personal health insurance is required for the full school year and must include athletic injury coverage. If the student-athlete does not have primary health insurance, they may obtain their own policy through the university. Please contact Student Accounts at 412-365-2719 for more information. A copy of the front and back of the current health insurance card must be provided to the athletic training staff in their preseason paperwork.
Chatham University Sports Medicine carries a secondary policy for all varsity student-athletes in the event of accident or injury during mandatory participation (formal practices, conditioning, and games). Captains' practices, open skate, open gym, etc. are not considered formal participation. This policy covers services secondary to the athlete's primary coverage up to $90,000 for one calendar year, from the date of injury, after a $1000 deductible. The $1000 deductible is "vanishing" based on coverage from the primary policy. If the student-athlete's primary insurance policy does not cover athletic injuries, specialist appointments, or is only a travel policy, they may be subject to costs out-of-pocket before the secondary policy is activated.
Informed Consent for Medical Treatment and Health Care Operations
Student-athletes must sign this form on Front Rush to give the athletic trainers and other associated healthcare personnel permission to provide medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation. If the student-athlete is under 17, parent/guardian must sign this document.
Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information - HIPAA Form
Student-athletes must sign this form on Front Rush to allow the athletic trainers to communicate with medical personnel and the University's athletic department personnel in order to provide consultation, treatment, and establish a plan of care. If the student-athlete is under 17, parent/guardian must sign this document.
A copy of the UPMC Notice of Privacy Practices document is available at Chatham University and can be found online at:Â http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/privacy-info/Pages/notice-of-privacy-practice.aspx.
Concussion Testing
Prior to participation in any varsity sport, all student-athletes must complete the ImPACT concussion testing program baseline test. This test is conducted every other year, most commonly the first and junior years at Chatham. It is scheduled by the athletic trainers and takes place in the athletic training room. The purpose of this test is to establish a baseline of cognitive function for comparison in the event the student-athlete sustains a concussion while participating in their sport. The ImPACT test is a critical component in the care and treatment of a concussion.
More information on the ImPACT test can be found at http://www.upmc.com/Services/sports-medicine/Pages/default.aspx and clicking on concussion services, or at http://www.impacttest.com/.
Medications
All student-athletes must report every medication, including supplements, they are currently taking with the athletic training staff. Prescription stimulants, highly caffeinated beverages (energy drinks/preworkout), some supplements, and other necessary medications are banned because they are considered performance enhancing. These drugs are still illegal even if taken appropriately.
If the student-athlete is taking a banned substance, thorough documentation from a physician is needed I conjunction with the NCAA Medical Exception Form. Having documentation on file will help the student-athlete in the event they test positive on a drug test administered by the NCAA. Any documentation for a banned substance is valid for one school year and must be renewed every August. If your prescription changes in the middle of the school year, new documentation is required.
2025-26 NCAA Banned Substances
NCAA Medical Exemption Form
