The Northeast-10 Conference* has established a cold weather policy that is applicable to all home events; these include both conference and non-conference contests during cold weather. 

*American International College has adopted the NE10 Cold Exposure Policy for all other outdoor sports at AIC including non-NE10 sports such as Men’s Rugby, Women’s Rugby, and Women’s Triathlon.

Cold weather is defined as any temperature that can negatively affect the body’s regulatory system. These do not have to be freezing temperatures! 

Authority

The host institution’s Athletic Trainer, based on the Wind Chill temperature at the time of contest, shall make the determination of whether conditions include extreme or severe cold.

The official measurement shall always be recorded via the DTN Weather Sentry product, the only approved Conference-wide product. The Wind Chill will be monitored (via Weather Sentry) by appropriate host personnel and will inform the Head Official (and visiting AT) when precautions need to be taken prior to the start of contest. The game administrator and certified athletic trainer shall be responsible for monitoring the weather conditions once play has begun. If precipitation is also occurring, then competition status may be changed, usually by reducing duration or requiring more rest and re-warming breaks.

The following guidelines have been established. The wind chill temperature guidelines which are listed below should be used to determine playability. For competition, conditions should constantly be evaluated for change in risk. If conditions worsen during competitions the on-site administrator and athletic trainer will decide if the competition should continue, be postponed or suspended.

NE-10 Cold Exposure Policy:

1. Tennis

a. Conference matches: Wind chill temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below for a minimum of two hours out of a three-hour time period from the start of the match OR Sustained winds (not including wind gusts) of more than 20 miles per hour. Competition is not allowed outside for tennis.
b. Non-Conference matches where indoor backup is available: Wind chill temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below for a minimum of two hours out of a three-hour time period from the start of the match OR Sustained winds (not including wind gusts) of more than 20 miles per hour. Competition is not allowed outside for tennis.
c. In non-Conference matches where indoor backup is not available, the two participating head coaches, in consultation with host administration and athletic training staff, shall determine what the temperature threshold will be prior to the start of the match.

2. Wind chill temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Competition is not allowed outside for golf.

3. Wind chill temperatures < 25 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Be aware and ready for the possibility of cold injuries.

a. Competition is not allowed outside for baseball, softball, track and field, triathlon* 
b. For remaining outdoor sports: (Lacrosse, Rugby, Field Hockey, Football, Soccer) All participants will take reasonable precautions to cover exposed skin. This includes, at minimum: wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and hats during warm up activities. When possible hats and gloves should remain on during the contest. 
c. All nonparticipating student-athletes should have exposed skin covered.
d. A decision by the game administrator and certified athletic trainer will be made prior to the start to implement an abbreviated version of team introductions and national anthem, and to incorporate an extended half-time and/or an extended warm up to start the second half.

4. Wind chill temperatures ≤ 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below: All participants must wear appropriate clothing/equipment at all times while outdoors. On site Athletic Trainer will make additional clothing or equipment recommendations as seen fit.

a. Any participant not in appropriate clothing/equipment must be removed and remain indoors until appropriate clothing/equipment is worn.
b. When possible, warm up and cool down activities should occur indoors.
c. An extended half-time and/or an extended warm up to start the second half will be implemented.
d. A decision by the game administrator and certified athletic trainer will be made prior to the start to eliminate team introductions and national anthem.

5. Wind chill temperatures ≤ 10 degrees Fahrenheit and below.

a. Must comply with previously stated clothing/equipment requirements.
b. Warm up and cool down (stretching) activities must occur indoors.
c. All non-participating student-athletes should remain indoors.
d. An extended halftime and an extended warm-up will be implemented.
e. A decision by the game administrator and certified athletic trainer will be made prior to the start to eliminate team introductions and national anthem.

6. Wind chill temperatures ≤ 0 degrees Fahrenheit and below: cancel event and reschedule.

Wind Chill Equivalent Index: Wind Chill is a major factor affecting the speed of cold injury. This takes place when the wind chill lowers the actual air temperature, thus cooling the body more rapidly. This is made more rapid when the skin or clothing is wet and quickens the cooling by evaporation. This is why cold injury can take place in many different combinations of these factors present. This chart gives approximate times of exposure for uncovered skin until frostbite ensues. If the body part is wet, then the time on the chart is lessened allowing for less time until frostbite.



AIC Cold Weather Practice Policy