In November 2014, Measure H was passed by Rancho Cordova residents, allowing a half-cent tax local sales tax measure.

The generated money from the taxes is approximately $7.2 million annually in revenues that goes into the city’s general fund. Parts of the money are being used toward 48 approved projects submitted by a range of individuals, organizations, businesses and community partners.

One of those partners is the Cordova High School football program, which now has state-of-the-art helmets and shoulder pads.

The program was given $385,000 to be spread out over the next three years. One-third of the money, approximately $106,000 was used to purchase Riddell Speed Flex, high-tech helmets that have a head impact monitoring system for all of the Cordova varsity and junior varsity football players.

The technology from Riddell measures the head impact severity. When an impact exceeds a predetermined threshold, an alert is transmitted to the sideline staff, who can then examine the player for symptoms of a concussion. The helmet records threshold hits that are in the upper 1 percent of all hits from that position.

The trainer and his/her staff receive the alert, and notify the coaching staff. That player is pulled off the field to be examined. The helmets don’t diagnose concussions.

“It’s just one more tool that training staffs and coaching staffs can use to keep their players safe,” said Cordova varsity football coach Darrin Nill. “They are much better than what we just got rid of. Up until last year, we were using shoulder pads and helmets, although good quality, nothing like this. It’s just really fantastic … it’s the latest and greatest.”

Inside each helmet has a special plastic casing and the skull padding that is part of the head impact severity.

The National Football League (NFL) uses the Riddell Speed Flex helmets. Colleges across the United States are also using the helmets, along with the Cordova football program.

Nill said there are no complaints from his players on the varsity and JV levels.

“My kids love wearing those helmets,” Nill said. “They said it feels great. They think they look great. If it translates to them playing great, I’m all for it.”

In a press release from Maria Kniestedt, who works for the City of Rancho Cordova, “Head injury and concussions are a great concern among parents, leagues, and schools – especially at the youth and high school levels … both the JV and Varsity football teams at Cordova High School will be wearing helmet technology that keeps them safer.”

Rancho Cordova Mayor David Sander added, “We believe the City of Rancho Cordova is the first city in the nation to fund this helmet technology to keeps its students safer.”

The Davis High School varsity football team has similar helmets, but only for its varsity football team, according to Nill.

Sander added, “The Community Enhancement Fund grants will ensure Rancho Cordova’s priorities happen that much faster. This year’s applicants showed creative and innovative ideas that will continue making us a vibrant community that values opportunity, partnerships, and fun.”