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WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Riddell to kick off helmet safety initiative

Exterior View of WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

Aimed at advancing student-athlete protection in middle and high school tackle football, the Marion County Initiative combines leading-edge athletic protection technology with WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute concussion research and performance analysis systems to enhance player health and safety. (WVU Photo)

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WHAT: The West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and helmet manufacturer Riddell will kick off an innovative helmet safety initiative during a middle school football scrimmage.

Aimed at advancing student-athlete protection in middle and high school tackle football, the Marion County Initiative combines leading-edge athletic protection technology with RNI concussion research and performance analysis systems to enhance player health and safety.

WHO: Dr. Javier Cárdenas, director of the NeuroPerformance Innovation Center, WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute; Dr. Michael Ebbert, assistant professor of sports neurology, WVU Department of Neurology; Erin Griffin, senior vice president of marketing and communications, Riddell; Marion County student-athletes

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 25, 6 p.m.

Media check-in is at 5:30 p.m. Kickoff for the scrimmage with three teams is at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: North Marion High School Stadium, 1 North Marion Drive, Farmington

NOTES: This marks the first deployment of Riddell’s Axiom helmets — with InSite impact analytics — in West Virginia schools. By pairing advanced hardware with rigorous neuroscience research, RNI aims to protect athletes today and inform long-term safety strategies for the future.

B-roll, high resolution photos and video will be made available digitally within 24 hours after the event.

-WVU-

bnm/8/21/25

MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Murray
Senior Marketing Strategist
WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute
Brittany.Murray2@wvumedicine.org

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