GORHAM, Maine – University of Southern Maine graduate Dr. Micky Collins — an internationally renowned expert in sports-related concussions — will return to his alma mater on Saturday for a presentation on his area of expertise and study.
Collins, a Hermon native and former USM baseball player, will make the presentation at 8:30 a.m. at the Costello Sports Complex Alumni Reception Room. A question and answer session will follow at 9:30 a.m. A brief social and continental breakfast is set for 8 a.m.
“Micky has distinguished himself as an international leader in the area of concussion study and concussion management,” Southern Maine Director of Athletics Al Bean said in a new release. “He has made a true difference for others, helped to change the way the world looks at head [injuries] and has clearly impacted the lives of numerous people in a positive way.”
Collins serves as director and founding member of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Established in 2000, it was the first program of its kind and remains the largest research and clinical program focused on the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, research and education of sports-related mild traumatic brain injury in athletes of all levels.
Collins also is one of the co-founders of the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) neurocognitive testing model used with student-athletes in high schools throughout Maine and at numerous levels across the nation.
A USM graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology in 1991, Collins earned a master’s degree in psychology in 1995 and doctorate degree in clinical psychology in 1998 at Michigan State University.
He was a member of the Huskies’ 1989 NCAA Division III New England Regional championship baseball team and the first USM baseball team to compete in the NCAA Division III World Series.
USM will honor Collins at the 29th Annual Husky Hall of Fame banquet when he will be presented with the Dr. Richard A. Costello Special Achievement Award. The award, named for the retired USM director of athletics, is given to a USM graduate who has distinguished himself through his commitment to student-athletes and athletics.