Bay Area high school athletes, coaches consider potential damage from head injuries

Research has reaffirmed that head injuries suffered in high-contact sports like football and hockey can lead to brain damage later in life. Dennis Frenkel, who played for several years with the Cougars youth hockey club in Cupertino, had to give up the game after suffering a series of concussions.

Knowing this, some high school athletes and coaches are now weighing the risks and rewards of playing the games.