Submitted by SCAFoundation on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 12:00am

COOPER CITY, FL--The death of a Broward County high school football player is leading to a change in the way football practices are conducted across the county.

There was a somber tone at the annual meeting of Broward high school football coaches Thursday as practices are set to officially begin on Monday. The death of Isaiah Laurencin last week is fresh on the minds of coaches and athletic directors.

Laurencin collapsed during conditioning drills at Miramar High and died hours later.

“It’s made everybody much more conscious and aware of life,” said Broward County Schools Director of Student Activities and Athletics Damian Huttenhoff.

Because of Laurencin’s death, there will be no football practice for any Broward high school in the heat of the day during the hours of 11 am and 4 pm in the weeks leading up to school. Teams will practice in the morning and evening. Cooper City High coach Art Taylor said he encourages players to rest during practice when they need it.

“Whenever they’re tired, we have a policy you can go get water, you can leave,” said Taylor. “You have to look out. They’re just kids.”

If a school doesn’t comply with the change, Huttenhoff said there will be consequences. “The penalties are going to be severe and it’s going to be a loss of practice time and certainly there will be disciplinary action that occurs,” Huttenhoff said.

“This is nothing we’re going to mess around with.” Huttenhoff said there it’s not clear how Laurencin died and whether heat played a role. But the county wants coaches to demand more water breaks and for them to pay close attention to the weather bug which can warn them about high temperatures and lightning.

“All we know is what we can control,” Huttenhoff said. “We can control when practices are held. We can control that water’s going to be accessible to students at all times. We can control that they’re going to have multiple breaks during the day.” Taylor said it’s common sense.

“Winning is not the most important thing you gotta balance that and remember they’re somebody’s son,” Taylor said. Coaches also received a reminder about spotting the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The Medical Examiner’s Office says they are still waiting for test results to determine how Laurencin died. His aunt, Erica Holmes, told CBS4 News the family endorses any change that makes sports safer for children. “I think it’s the best for the kids,” Holmes said. (CBS4)

SOURCE: CBS4