Stillwater Area High School has traditionally been a leader in equipping our players with the best helmets available. Up until this past year, each of our players wore the Riddell Revolution. This helmet began to surface in high schools in the early 2000s. It remains a high quality helmet, but technology has improved. Please know that all of our 7-9 grade players have access to Revolutions which is almost unheard of. For that level of play, a parent can be very confident in the equipment for their son. As they transition into sophomore and varsity football improvements can make a difference.

Over the last few years, Riddell has made improvements by adding the Revo Speed and the 360. Recent studies at Virginia Tech revealed that these two helmets are the best in the industry. While no helmet can prevent injury or concussion, we want our young men in the helmets that best protect them. We had four Revo Speed helmets in 2011 and through helmet replacement (due to defects at helmet reconditioning or elimination from use due to age – 10 years old) we added 12 more for a total of 16. These helmets would go to players who are commonly in the most traffic – varsity backs and linebackers is an obvious starting place. Our goal is to get all 10-12 grade players in one of these helmets for the 2013 season. There is no silver bullet to make that happen. Moreover, you will not find many schools in Minnesota who provide this quality and quantity through district funds. So, to make this a reality the funds have to be raised.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support in our helmet initiative. Due to the support, primarily from player families but also alumni, supporters, and the Ponies Touchdown Club, the majority of our 10-12 grade players will wear one of these concussion reduction technology helmets. Within the next year, we hope to phase the Revolution out of the high school.