Groups to Offer Training on Sports Safety

Starting next month, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Olympic Committee will offer sports safety courses at five Red Cross centers in Southern California.

The need for such a course, Red Cross officials said, was highlighted by the recent death of 17-year-old Julius Riofrir and other young athletes. Riofrir, who was pitching to a teammate, was struck in the head by a ricocheting ball as he warmed up for a baseball game Sunday at Glendale’s Verdugo Park.

The Sports Safety Training course aims to prevent sports injuries at all levels of competition. Dr. Tom Crawford of the U.S. Olympic Committee said the Red Cross was chosen to help develop the program because of its long-standing record in providing emergency training.

“In addition, the Red Cross is in every community,” he said. “This delivery system will provide coaches and athletes at all levels convenient access to the program.”

Participants in the seven-hour course will get certificates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and sports safety training.

For more information on the course, or to enroll, call the Red Cross at (800) 627-7000.

The following is the course schedule for July:

INGLEWOOD

July 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Red Cross Southeast Service Center

610 No. Eucalyptus Ave.

WEST LOS ANGELES

July 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Red Cross West Service Center

11355 Ohio Ave.

VAN NUYS

July 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 24 and July 31, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Red Cross Valley Service Center

14717 Sherman Way

BURBANK

July 22 and July 24, 6 p.m to 10 p.m.

Red Cross Burbank Service Center

1001 West Magnolia Blvd.

SANTA CLARITA

July 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Santa Clarita Valley YMCA

26147 McBean Parkway