Sarasota Schools Offer Heart Screenings for Student Athletes

New partnership aims to catch hidden heart conditions before sports play

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:50am

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray photograph of a human heart, revealing the organ's complex internal structures in a ghostly, glowing manner against a dark background.New heart screening program aims to detect hidden conditions in Sarasota student athletes before they take the field.Sarasota Today

Sarasota County Schools is teaming up with the nonprofit Who We Play For to host heart screening events for student athletes, providing electrocardiogram (ECG) tests to detect any hidden heart conditions that could endanger young athletes during games. The screenings are in response to a new Florida law requiring all first-time high school student athletes to get an ECG before playing sports.

Why it matters

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in youth sports, often happening without warning. This new screening program aims to identify any potential heart issues early and help prevent tragic outcomes for student athletes in Sarasota.

The details

The heart screening events will take place at Booker High School on April 13 and North Port High School on April 15, with more screenings planned at other schools soon. The $20 per-student cost is being subsidized by the district to help make the screenings accessible for all families. Who We Play For staff will conduct the ECG tests, with board-certified pediatric cardiologists reviewing the results alongside local hospital physicians.

  • The heart screening events will be held on Monday, April 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Booker High School.
  • Additional heart screenings will take place on Wednesday, April 15 from 5-9 p.m. at North Port High School.

The players

Sarasota County Schools

The public school district in Sarasota, Florida that is organizing the heart screening events for student athletes.

Who We Play For

A nonprofit organization partnering with Sarasota County Schools to provide the heart screenings and ECG testing for student athletes.

Terry Connor

The superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.

Evan Ernst

The executive director of Who We Play For.

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing

A local company that is helping to make the heart screenings more accessible for families by providing financial support.

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What they’re saying

“Protecting our student athletes is something we all share. This partnership and these events show that we're working proactively. We're here to support our athletes and their families as Florida steps up to prevent sudden cardiac events in young people.”

— Terry Connor, Superintendent, Sarasota County Schools

“Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in sports and on school campuses—and it often happens without warning. We believe no family should lose a child to a preventable condition, so early detection through ECG screening is key. We're proud to partner with Sarasota County Schools and grateful to Gold Coast Eagle Distributing for making these screenings easier for families to access.”

— Evan Ernst, Executive Director, Who We Play For

What’s next

Families can register for the heart screening events at Booker High School on April 13 and North Port High School on April 15 through the Who We Play For website.

The takeaway

This new heart screening program for student athletes in Sarasota is an important step in protecting young people's health and safety. By catching any hidden heart conditions early through ECG testing, the district and its partners aim to prevent sudden cardiac events and give student athletes the best chance to play sports safely.