About the Author
Brooke Powell
Brooke Powell is a student researcher at Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois, with a strong interest in neuroscience and adolescent athlete well-being. Her academic work focuses on the psychological and social factors that influence concussion recovery and return-to-play decisions in high school athletes.
Brooke has conducted survey-based research studies and collaborated with research programs at the University of California, San Diego. Through both research and storytelling, she is committed to promoting safer sports practices and empowering young athletes to advocate for their health.
From The Court To The Page: Why This Story Matters
Basketball has always been more than a sport to me—it's where I learned discipline, teamwork, and resilience. But during the playoffs in 8th grade, everything changed when I suffered a concussion during a game.
That injury didn't just take me off the court—it opened my eyes to how misunderstood concussions can be, especially for young athletes who feel pressure to return to play too soon. As I navigated recovery, I began asking questions: How does the brain heal? Why do athletes hide symptoms? How do emotions, teammates, and expectations affect recovery?
Those questions sparked my passion for concussion research and ultimately inspired "Put Me In, Coach." This book is my way of combining my love for basketball with science and storytelling—to help athletes recognize that protecting their brain is just as important as winning the game.