Update
HuTT808 research program extended two additional years due to Covid.
GOG Hawaii Foundation is committed to provide continued support in the coming years to help HuTT808 expand the program to outer islands and other schools.
HuTT808
The GOG Hawai`i Foundation is funding a three-year, multi-institutional research project called “HuTT808.” The project will investigate head impact exposure in Hawai`i high school football players, teach techniques for reducing such impacts and bring community awareness to head safety. The principal investigators are Erik Swartz, PhD, ATC, FNATA of the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Nathan Murata, PhD of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
The “HuTT808” program emphasizes proper tackling techniques using closely supervised drills where players participate without their helmets and shoulder pads in place. Helmetless tackling training is the element that is inherent to HuTT and reinforces the behavior of tackling without initiating contact to the head. The goal is to have players execute proper tackling techniques to reduce head impacts and concussions.
For a detailed description of the program visit: https://hawaiiconcussion.com/hutt808.
Gary Galiher’s Awareness of Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Through his Foundation, Gary Galiher wanted to foster causes that he believed would enhance the lives of the people of Hawai`i. A cause that Gary cared deeply about was helping to bring awareness about the devasting effects of head injuries sustained in contact sports and how these could be prevented.
Gary wanted to do something to make a difference. Initially, he did this through the “Neuro-Huddle” conferences that he organized and sponsored. Gary continued his support through his Foundation. One of the express purposes of his Foundation is:
Bringing awareness and education to the people of Hawai`i regarding traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and neuro-trauma injuries, including information as to the causes, methods of prevention and cutting-edge treatments to care for and rehabilitate those who suffer from such injuries, including medical and scientific seminars featuring national experts in these areas.
Gary’s awareness of the effects of brain injuries began before he attended law school in Hawai`i. Gary taught special education for four years at the Elementary School in Haleiwa, Hawai`i. It was there that he saw firsthand the ramifications of severe brain injuries and learning problems. Gary’s understanding of the issues surrounding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) was enhanced in 2014 when he undertook the representation of John Wilbur, an American football player who was a victim of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). John Wilbur’s CTE diagnosis that devastated his life and his family was attributed to the repetitive impacts he suffered during his NFL career.
Sponsor of the “Neuro Huddle” Conferences
Gary wanted to make a difference by bringing a greater awareness and understanding of the problems of TBI and CTE to the people of Hawai`i. He began by putting together the first annual “Neuro-Huddle” in January 2015, a conference focused on brain injury prevention, treatment and awareness in sports – particularly football and other high contact play. The next year, the GOG Hawai`i Foundation sponsored the Second Annual “Neuro-Huddle” and added a “CTE Conference” where leaders in the fields of neurology and sports medicine presented the latest information on CTE. Gary’s goal was to educate the people of Hawai`i about the serious brain injuries caused by the concussive and sub-concussive impacts incurred during sports as well as developing ways to make sports safer.
Gary Learned of the “HuTT” Initiative
In searching for speakers for the 2016 CTE conference, Gary became aware of the work being done in New Hampshire by Erik Swartz to reduce head impacts in football. He did not hesitate to invite Erik to be a presenter at the conference. At the time he spoke, Erik was spearheading two separate helmetless tackling training programs, the “HuTT” initiatives. Erik’s presentation included background information and preliminary findings of the “HuTT” helmetless tackling training programs at the University of New Hampshire and at four local high schools. Gary was impressed by Erik’s work and began thinking about whether such a program could be brought to Hawai`i.
The GOG Hawai`i Foundation Supports the HuTT808 Initiative in Hawai`i
Unfortunately, before he could make the HuTT808 idea a reality, Gary died tragically in a helicopter crash in November 2016. However, after his death, Gary’s Foundation moved forward to fulfill the purposes Gary had originally designated.
Knowing about Erik and the work he was doing, the GOG Hawai`i Foundation reached out to him to see whether a “HuTT” program could be implemented in Hawai`i to help reduce head impacts in high school football players. Erik, along with representatives from the University of Hawai`i’s Kinesiology Department, developed the “HuTT808” research project. The GOG Hawai`i Foundation is providing all the funding for the three-year “HuTT808 project”.
The “HuTT808” program emphasizes proper tackling techniques using closely supervised drills where players participate without their helmets and shoulder pads in place. Helmetless tackling training is the element that is inherent to HuTT and reinforces the behavior of tackling without initiating contact to the head. The goal is to have players execute proper tackling techniques to reduce head impacts and concussions.
For a detailed description of the program visit: https://hawaiiconcussion.com/hutt808.
Gary Galiher’s Awareness of Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Through his Foundation, Gary Galiher wanted to foster causes that he believed would enhance the lives of the people of Hawai`i. A cause that Gary cared deeply about was helping to bring awareness about the devasting effects of head injuries sustained in contact sports and how these could be prevented.
Gary wanted to do something to make a difference. Initially, he did this through the “Neuro-Huddle” conferences that he organized and sponsored. Gary continued his support through his Foundation. One of the express purposes of his Foundation is:
Bringing awareness and education to the people of Hawai`i regarding traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and neuro-trauma injuries, including information as to the causes, methods of prevention and cutting-edge treatments to care for and rehabilitate those who suffer from such injuries, including medical and scientific seminars featuring national experts in these areas.
Gary’s awareness of the effects of brain injuries began before he attended law school in Hawai`i. Gary taught special education for four years at the Elementary School in Haleiwa, Hawai`i. It was there that he saw firsthand the ramifications of severe brain injuries and learning problems. Gary’s understanding of the issues surrounding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) was enhanced in 2014 when he undertook the representation of John Wilbur, an American football player who was a victim of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). John Wilbur’s CTE diagnosis that devastated his life and his family was attributed to the repetitive impacts he suffered during his NFL career.
Sponsor of the “Neuro Huddle” Conferences
Gary wanted to make a difference by bringing a greater awareness and understanding of the problems of TBI and CTE to the people of Hawai`i. He began by putting together the first annual “Neuro-Huddle” in January 2015, a conference focused on brain injury prevention, treatment and awareness in sports – particularly football and other high contact play. The next year, the GOG Hawai`i Foundation sponsored the Second Annual “Neuro-Huddle” and added a “CTE Conference” where leaders in the fields of neurology and sports medicine presented the latest information on CTE. Gary’s goal was to educate the people of Hawai`i about the serious brain injuries caused by the concussive and sub-concussive impacts incurred during sports as well as developing ways to make sports safer.
Gary Learned of the “HuTT” Initiative
In searching for speakers for the 2016 CTE conference, Gary became aware of the work being done in New Hampshire by Erik Swartz to reduce head impacts in football. He did not hesitate to invite Erik to be a presenter at the conference. At the time he spoke, Erik was spearheading two separate helmetless tackling training programs, the “HuTT” initiatives. Erik’s presentation included background information and preliminary findings of the “HuTT” helmetless tackling training programs at the University of New Hampshire and at four local high schools. Gary was impressed by Erik’s work and began thinking about whether such a program could be brought to Hawai`i.
The GOG Hawai`i Foundation Supports the HuTT808 Initiative in Hawai`i
Unfortunately, before he could make the HuTT808 idea a reality, Gary died tragically in a helicopter crash in November 2016. However, after his death, Gary’s Foundation moved forward to fulfill the purposes Gary had originally designated.
Knowing about Erik and the work he was doing, the GOG Hawai`i Foundation reached out to him to see whether a “HuTT” program could be implemented in Hawai`i to help reduce head impacts in high school football players. Erik, along with representatives from the University of Hawai`i’s Kinesiology Department, developed the “HuTT808” research project. The GOG Hawai`i Foundation is providing all the funding for the three-year “HuTT808 project”.