The Battle Sports Science Impact Indicator has a light designed to alert coaches and trainers when an athlete has sustained a hit that could have caused a concussion.
Chris Circo suffered his first concussion in the fifth grade. His second hit him a few years later, and a few more came after that.
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When Circo (left) was 21, he began to suffer from seizures — presumably due to his frequent concussions. Once the seizures were under control with medication, he wanted to find a way to protect athletes from repeated head injuries and make sports safer.
So in 2009 Circo launched Battle Sports Science, a company that aims to make sports safter with science-based athletic gear.
The company is known for its Impact Indicator, a chin strap designed to help alert coaches and trainers when an athlete has sustained a hit that could have caused a concussion.
The Impact Indicator is worn as a player’s chin strap attached to their helmet. It features a small light that flashes red when the player has been hit with an amount of force that has the potential to cause a concussion. The Impact Indicator cannot predict or prevent concussions, but it brings coaches’ and trainers’ attention to players who may need to be taken off the field for further assessment.
Battle Sports Science also makes a batting helmet, a face guard, a protective cup and a mouthguard. The company’s equipment is used by a range of players, from NFL and NHL athletes to local high school football teams. The products are sold in stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Scheels across the country.
“(Circo) is passionate about kids’ safety,” said Cort Irish (left), vice president of marketing and communications at Battle Sports Science.
Irish said some parents are taking their kids out of sports all together due to safety concerns. One of the company’s goals is to prevent that from happening.
Irish said Battle Sports Science has about 12 full-time employees, most of whom are from Omaha, and about 40 independent sales representatives.
The company also recently acquired the operating assets and exclusive license to the Prince, Ektelon, and Viking brands throughout North America, Latin America and South America from Prince Sports Inc. in partnership with the Waitt Co. in Omaha.
Prince is a leading brand in tennis equipment and apparel, while Ektelon and Viking produce racquetball and paddle tennis equipment, respectively. Battle Sports Science is also a licensee of TapouT, which makes mixed martial arts equipment.
“This is a very significant event in the growth of our company, as the Prince, Ektelon, and Viking brands are prominent and highly regarded properties with tremendous potential for growth,” Circo said in a press release. “If not for the vision, drive and leadership of the Waitt Company, we would not have been able to capture such an extraordinary opportunity.”
The partnership formed Active Brands Co., which Circo will also head as CEO.
Meanwhile, the company is taking full advantage of the College World Series by hosting a booth outside TD Ameritrade Park. Stop by for a demo of the company’s baseball and softball helmets and shields, the Battle Helmet and Battle Shield, or check out some of their other products for sale.
Credits: Impact indicator image from battlesportscience.com. Photo of Circo from battlesportsscience.com. Photo of Irish by Paige Yowell.
