JOHN DOHERTY: Haste makes for waste at higher levels

The higher the level of sports, it is logical to assume, the better are the agents, athletes, coaches, management types, medics and scouts.

JOHN DOHERTY: Achilles tendon injury fatal only to Achilles

According to Greek mythology, Achilles was an invincible warrior during the Trojan War.

JOHN DOHERTY: Questions loom as NCAA hoops season ends

With Monday's final game of March Madness, we now know which is the best men’s college basketball team in the land.

JOHN DOHERTY: In new season, baseball clings largely to past

New helmets, strong enough to withstand a 100 mph fastball, will be the law of the land in Major League Baseball this season. Supposedly they will prevent concussions.

JOHN DOHERTY: Current events recall sad anniversary

Munster High School's boys basketball team completed its second undefeated season in school history on Friday. The first time it happened was two years ago, and just a week later, 120 miles from here, Fennville (Mich.) High School also completed an undefeated regular season – a little more f…

JOHN DOHERTY: Before hitting new year, peruse biggest comebacks of 2012

Who shall it be now?

Danko and officials worth remembering

For the last 18 years around this time, in this space, I have given thanks for and to the officials who keep our games safer than they otherwise would be. I do so because it was just before the start of the Christmas season, on Nov. 18, 1994, during the Munster Basketball O'Rama, that refere…

JOHN DOHERTY: No love story in NFL concussion quandry

With apologies to Andy Williams, where do I begin?

JOHN DOHERTY: Sleep as safety not to be ignored

Strength training is crucial for preventing injuries but, for the student trying to balance school and sports, finding the time for that in-season is difficult.

JOHN DOHERTY: Pediatricians boost cheerleading safety

With the high school football playoffs underway, the season is over or about to be for most teams on both sides of the state line.

JOHN DOHERTY: Another ex-irish star dies too young

Not again.

Testing for dementia in the future

The short-term effects of concussion can be bad enough. However, they almost always get all better.

JOHN DOHERTY: Facts forgotten after headline hype

Last week, in a reversal of sorts, NBA Commissioner David Stern acknowledged that this season's compressed schedule could very well have been problematic.

JOHN DOHERTY: Circumstances don't suit football

The NFL would have been better off if Junior Seau had joined one of the many suits over concussion that have been filed against the league.

JOHN DOHERTY: What a week of sports it was

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times last week in sports -- locally and nationwide.

Devine Irish memories of Kiel

Hard to believe it's been 32 years. That was my first thought on Sunday when I learned former Notre Dame quarterback Blair Kiel had died at the age of 50.

JOHN DOHERTY: Taking issue with the knee

With the NCAA Women's Basketball championship game between Notre Dame and Baylor scheduled for tonight, there is no better time to talk about knee injuries.

JOHN DOHERTY: Athletic trainers take on catastrophe

As National Athletic Training Month comes to an end, so does my ongoing series on sudden death in sports. As the month began, the National Athletic Trainers' Association had just issued a position statement on prevention of such a catastrophe.

JOHN DOHERTY: Athletic trainers take on the heat

It may seem unusual to be talking about heat-related health problems in the middle of March.

JOHN DOHERTY: Athletic trainers offer dose of sanity to March Madness

Most sports fans associate this month with madness, specifically the March Madness of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

JOHN DOHERTY: Peyton's place may be in court

Back on Sept. 13, I wrote Peyton Manning's place -- given the nature of his neck injury and subsequent surgeries -- is on the sidelines.

JOHN DOHERTY: Duerson suit doesn't fit

I would be just as happy not to recall the one-year anniversary this month of old friend and former Notre Dame and Bears strong safety Dave Duerson.

JOHN DOHERTY: Notre Dame rejects ACL U label

Adversity, you can let it define you, or you can overcome it and define yourself.

JOHN DOHERTY: CNN’s Sanjay Gupta gets concussion chronicle correct

The media focus in the weeks before the Super Bowl is much like it was two years ago: concussion, concussion, concussion.

JOHN DOHERTY: Dear John, readers questions tackle head injuries

Recent columns regarding head injuries in sports -- football, specifically -- have readers thinking about how to save America's game and the boys and men who play it. Here is a sampling, edited for brevity and clarity:

JOHN DOHERTY: Stunning NFL weekend signals sickness in sports

Two signature plays bracketed the signature game of the NFL divisional round this past weekend.

JOHN DOHERTY: Left at a loss by medical mismanagement

In the aftermath of the Denver Broncos' overtime victory Sunday, on the strength of a first-play, 80-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas, Tebow-mania is back in full throat.

JOHN DOHERTY: Boutique medicine is a bad bet

The best way to take a long look forward is to start by taking a short look back. When it comes to sports medicine, one need only consider the curious case of Alex Rodriguez.

JOHN DOHERTY: Back-ups best at having quarterback's back

While Bears fans wonder what could have been had Jay Cutler been playing, let's be honest here: the Raiders were going to be tough to beat in Oakland no matter who was at quarterback.

JOHN DOHERTY: LeBron loses last strip of dignity in Sheets

Really, LeBron? Really? Has the NBA lockout made you that hard up for cash that you have to endorse a product known as "Sheets Energy Strips?" Do you really use one every time before you play? If you "need" to, maybe you aren't as good as I thought.

JOHN DOHERTY: Silence no option with Purdue head work

A year ago, I interviewed Purdue University director of athletic training education Larry Leverenz, PhD, ATC at the Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association's annual meeting. We talked about his ongoing study on the effect of repeated head impacts on high school football players.

JOHN DOHERTY: Redbirds ride reconstructed righty to Series

Back on Feb. 28, in this space, it was written, "Already, the St. Louis Cardinals have gone from contenders to pretenders with the loss of ace Adam Wainwright, who will need season-ending 'Tommy John' surgery to reconstruct his elbow."

JOHN DOHERTY: Fun is fast becoming forgotten facet of sports

Did you see that kickoff return for a touchdown by Bears return man Devin Hester on Sunday night?

JOHN DOHERTY: Concussion numbers staggering up thanks to recognition

Are we seeing concussions way more than we used to?

JOHN DOHERTY: Why pay the cost of the MRI?

Do you know what MRI stands for? Magnetic Resonance Imaging, you say?

JOHN DOHERTY: Wrigley wreck needs more than a new wrinkle

In the wake of the wreck of a season that is about to conclude for the Cubs, their new general manager, whoever that will be, may be well-advised to take a wrecking ball to the entire roster -- with the possible exceptions of Starlin Castro and Jeff Samardzija.

JOHN DOHERTY: Peyton's place is on the sidelines

This is the third time in 19 months for neck surgery and you, Peyton Manning. Days after the operation was completed, it is far too early to tell if this procedure will be the charm.

JOHN DOHERTY: College crowd control can contain consequences

While touring the Roman Colosseum earlier this summer, I was told by a tour guide that, when in use centuries ago, the building would be cleared of its 55,000 spectators in 20 minutes.

JOHN DOHERTY: Headlines headed in wrong direction for NFL

In the aftermath of former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Corwin Brown shooting himself in the torso 10 days ago, I closed last week's column with the following speculation:

JOHN DOHERTY: The death of two-a-days

The fall sports season starts across Illinois on Wednesday.

JOHN DOHERTY: Two-a-days demand double vigilance by parents

With the official start of the high school fall sports season kicking off yesterday in Indiana and the same scheduled to occur in only eight days in Illinois, your teenager's activity level is about to double -- at least -- precisely when the weather is likely to be the most taxing.

JOHN DOHERTY: Community interest translates into concussion conference

Interest in concussion and its management has never been higher. In the last year-and-a-half, Time and Sports Illustrated have been among the national magazines which have devoted cover stories to head injuries in sports. Even National Geographic jumped into the fray with a feature story in …

JOHN DOHERTY: Cubs need to stop taking a dive

I've said it here before: when compared to their counterparts in the NFL and NBA, baseball field managers aren't the brightest.

JOHN DOHERTY: Notice can be late for sickle cell trait

George O'Leary was named the head football coach at Notre Dame on December 10, 2001.

JOHN DOHERTY: Sox healing needs to be more than wishing

If you saw the bombs Paul Konerko hit out of Fenway Park last week, then you might understand why, on the same day as his wrist surgery on Friday, the White Sox said he'd be available to pinch hit that evening against the Detroit Tigers.

JOHN DOHERTY: Pediatricians pan energy in a can

Over the years when addressing groups of parents regarding sports safety, I've spoken about bumps, bruises, concussions, cuts, fractures, strains and sprains. Since many parents have heard such speeches before, it hasn't been long before I've noticed some in my audience dozing off.

JOHN DOHERTY: Summit on concussions, not concussion care

The fifth annual National Summit on Sports Concussion was held in Los Angeles on Friday, with experts from across the country marveling at how much has been learned in the last 10 years, while admitting there is so much further to go.

JOHN DOHERTY: Use head first, don't go head first

In the wake of breaking his humerus (upper arm bone) near the shoulder last month, reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton said, "It was a stupid play."

JOHN DOHERTY: Bats taking hits from all sides

It doesn't matter the level of baseball, Little Leaguer or pro, high school or collegian, the bat you use is too dangerous. So say a host of pundits.

JOHN DOHERTY: Dear John answers questions about hamstrings

Dear John: I found your article on hamstring injuries (March 1) very interesting. Back in high school, I played football and ran track. I never pulled a hamstring during football, but I would pull one every year in track. Perhaps you could do a follow-up article on how to prevent hamstring i…