Physician Services
Pre-Participation Physical Examination
Prior to participating in any of our sports, a student-athlete is required to pass an athletic pre-participation physical examination performed by a member of our sports medicine team. The procedure to arrange for an evaluation varies, depending on whether the individual is a new student-athlete, returning student-athlete, or trying out for the team (see below). Consult your coach, athletic trainer, or the Sports Medicine Office (732-445-6258) for further information.
New Student-Athletes (Freshman, Transfers, New Team Members)
All new student-athletes, including first year participants and transfers, are required to undergo a complete physical by a member of the sports medicine team in order to obtain clearance for participation. In order to expedite this process, new student-athletes will receive a blue insurance form and a pre-participation medical questionnaire. These are to be completed in their entirety and sent back to the Sports Medicine Office for evaluation. If you have lost or have not received your forms in the mail, you may download the forms here and send them in by the date requested.
Download Forms
Evaluations will be performed at the Hale Center Sports Medicine Office. In order to facilitate the completion of a large volume of evaluations, each head coach will give their student-athletes residing in the local tri-state area (NJ, NY, and PA) a choice of dates in July for their physical examination. Those student-athletes who were unable to attend these dates or who reside outside the local area will receive their physicals with the remainder of their team, when they return to school in the fall. Medical questionnaires and insurance forms will be reviewed with the student-athlete at the time of the examination. Pertinent medical information should be forwarded to the Sports Medicine Office to help expedite a student-athlete's care. Please be advised that incomplete information regarding medical history or insurance coverage may result in a delay in clearance, this means you cannot practice or participate in your sport. It is therefore in your best interest to complete these forms carefully and without omission. Incomplete insurance forms may delay a student-athlete's clearance. In the interest of expediting the evaluation process, proper attire is requested. Student-athletes should report in or bring a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
Returning Athletes
Returning student-athletes will be required to complete a blue insurance form and pre-participation medical questionnaire for review by the Team Physician. If warranted, a pre-participation evaluation will be scheduled with the Team Physician (i.e. if you have undergone surgery since your last evaluation or suffered an injury). In addition, all academic sophomores will be required to have a pre-participation evaluation at the end of their sophomore year spring semester. If they are unable to make this time, they may make an appointment with the Team Physician over the summer or have their exam with the remaining new student-athletes before their fall season begins. Medical and Insurance forms must be completed in their entirety before a student-athlete can be cleared. Incomplete information will result in a delay in clearance. If you have lost or have not received your form, you may download the forms here and hand them in by the date requested. Download Forms
Tryouts
A student-athlete trying out for a team need only obtain a note from his/her physician or a physical exam from a Rutgers Health Center facility other than the Sports Medicine office, indicating eligibility to participate within 6 months of the date of the scheduled tryout. . Should the student-athlete become a team member, he/she will be required to obtain a pre-participation evaluation by the Team Physician in order to gain final clearance for continued participation.
Exit Physical
Those student-athletes who complete their eligibility at Rutgers are required to fill out an exit physical form. The student-athlete may elect to have a review of their medical care before leaving the athletic department. A physician may request an evaluation also.
