Senior drum major Violet Ostrowski follows a strict regimen to prevent the chance of heat exhaustion during band camp — an intensive training period where student musicians learn their show and get the chance to practice their craft.
All students are required to have water jugs, hats and sunglasses. They take plenty of breaks in the shade and stay hydrated.
Violet is one of thousands of high schoolers across San Antonio that work to learn drills and sets and grit through physical conditioning during outdoor temps that near 100 degrees.
And Brandeis High School in Northside Independent School District has one of the most competitive marching bands in the conference area, getting shut out of state contests last year by only one spot.
For Brandeis band students, outdoor rehearsal starts at 7 a.m. sharp.
Director of bands Patrick Aguirre said the early start is to take advantage of the day’s lowest temperatures so that students can be indoors by noon for the rest of the day.
Still, the risk of heat exhaustion is serious. So far this year, San Antonio has reported 321 instances of heat related illness, with at least 35 cases reported in August so far.
In the case a student does show signs of heat exhaustion, Violet and other band officers help lead students towards a shaded or indoor area to cool off, but she said it doesn’t happen too often.
“We’re never out there pushing people so hard to the point where they have to be out for a few days,” she told the Report. Violet’s a veteran by now; it’s her fourth year.
Even before band camp starts, Aguirre asks parents to make sure the kids are drinking water and getting off the couch, potentially fending off the risk of heat related illness.
Additionally, band members don’t wear their full marching uniforms — which typically include long jackets and pants — until temperatures cool off during late September or early October.
Over at Memorial High School in Edgewood Independent School District, head football coach Paul Ortega is already prepping his team for conference playoffs.
As athletic coordinator for the school, Ortega devised several strategies to keep his players cool: cold towels on hand, plenty of water breaks and a water-filled barrel in case a student gets heat stroke.
Last week, Memorial’s minutemen weren’t wearing their full gear or live-tackling just yet. Ortega said they have to work up to it in the heat.
Ortega says the most important thing is that his players stay hydrated, an effort headed largely by five to six athletic trainers, who volunteer their time at every practice and game.
“We have [athletic trainers] set up pretty much with every group, and they have water bottles available to the players any time they want,” he said.
Dr. Alberto Oseguera, a primary care physician that specializes in sports medicine with UT Health San Antonio, said that as temperatures rise, the sports community is increasingly aware of the heat’s effect on young athletes.
Tool lets schools know when it’s too hot to practice
In 2023, the University Interscholastic League, a regulatory body that oversees extracurricular competitions for Texas public schools, approved the use of the wet bulb globe temperature to help plan for outdoor activities. This formula estimates the effect of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation.
When temperatures reach between 90.1 and 92 degrees, coaches and directors in most parts of Texas, including San Antonio, must schedule 20 minutes of rest for every hour of outdoor activity. Once it’s this hot, football players are not allowed to wear protective gear or do conditioning activities while outdoors.
When temperatures reach 92.1 degrees or higher, all physical activities need to be taken indoors.
Band director Aguirre and coach Ortega both use this technology.
Last year, Northside ISD installed a sensor that monitors wet bulb globe temperature at Dub Farris and Gus Stafson stadiums. It sends coaches and band directors weather alerts. Edgewood ISD implemented this technology about three years ago.
At the national level, advocates have been pushing for schools to employ more athletic trainers — licensed individuals who provide health care to high schoolers during athletic events — especially in economically disadvantaged and rural communities.
A big part of heat prevention, Oseguera added, is drinking water days in advance of physical activity.
Signs of overheating include increased heart rate, dehydration, lightheadedness and muscle cramps, he warns. Some medications, such as medication for ADHD and depression, can increase risk of heat illness.
“The responsibility lies a lot in the adults to monitor for these things and take kids out of participation if they’re having symptoms,” he said.
