Town Hall recap: Sports injuries and NJ’s young athletes

Tuesday, Nov. 24, New Jersey 101.5 welcomes experts into our studio to talk about the risks our young athletes face — as well as what our sports leagues, players and parents can do about it.

The program begins at 7 p.m. You'll be able to watch it live and chat in this post or via the new NJ1015.com mobile app. You can listen live anytime on NJ1015.com, via the app, or at 101.5 on your radio dial. No special software or account is needed for the live chat.

Also, at 8 p.m.: Spinal cord injury survivor Mikey Nichols will join Steve Trevelise for a discussion of the hockey injury that changed his life, and the lessons he can bring to others. The video above continues through Nichols' visit.

Joining us for the live online chat are:
• Dr. Jack Kripsak, who sits on the NJSIAA’s medical advisory board
• Andy Overman, senior physical therapist of Hunterdon Sports and Physical Therapy
Note: Guidance given in the chat is general; for treatment or diagnoses of a particular condition, please see your personal physician. 

In the studio Tuesday will be:
• Steven Tobias, director of the Center for Child and Family Development in Morristown
• Bill Bruno, assistant director of the NJSIAA
• Keith Loneker, former NFL player who has served on the NFL's concussions committee

According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger get hurt annually playing sports.

Deaths are rare, but we've seen two in New Jersey alone in recent months — that of Warren Hills High School quarterback Evan Murray, who suffered a fatal spleen injury after taking a hit during a game against Summit, and that of an Elizabeth teen who collapsed playing basketball in October.