Lake County Gazette

When the Westminster Wolves football team begins its season on Friday night against South High School, players will be using new helmets designed to improve safety. The Riddell Axiom Smart Helmets, provided by the Denver Broncos Foundation, are intended to reduce head injuries amid increasing concerns about repeated trauma in football. Each helmet costs $900, but the Foundation distributed 15,000 of them free to every high school tackle football program in Colorado.

The helmets feature impact-sensing technology that allows coach Chris Helbig and his staff to analyze how players make contact during games. "For example, if the data shows a player is using the crown of their head too much while they are tackling, they can help that player change their techniques to make it safer," according to information from the coaching staff.

Coach Helbig brings experience as a former standout at Holy Family High School and a professional player in Europe. He recently discussed helmet safety and its importance for young athletes with local media.

The team's home opener is set for August 29 at 7 p.m. at WHS Memorial Stadium.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 represents several schools in Lake County including Waukegan High School and multiple elementary and middle schools (source). The district's student body is predominantly Hispanic at nearly 80 percent, with smaller percentages of Black, White, and Asian students (source). The district employs over 1,000 teachers who earn an average salary of $63,524; most are women (source). In 2020, per-student spending was $23,429 for a total budget exceeding $359 million (source).