One of the reasons 2011 Coupeville High School graduate Andre Stone didn’t play football for the Wolves was because of the risks involved. Now, ironically, he is aiming to help curb football head injuries.

Stone, who graduated from the University of Washington June 14 with a degree in mechanical engineering, is working for VICIS, a startup bent on developing a better football helmet.

VICIS, which means “change” in Latin, was spearheaded by three UW faculty members, Samuel Browd, Jonathan Posner and Per Reinhall.

Browd is an associate professor of neurological surgery, attending neurosurgeon and medical director of Seattle’s Children’s Sport Concussion Program; Posner is an associate professor of mechanical engineering; and Reinhall is a professor and chair of the mechanical engineering department.

Stone was one of three undergraduates asked to help with the project.

The founders believed blending the latest developments in medicine and engineering could result in a better helmet.

Stone entered the University of Washington with the goal of working in the field of renewable energy. A sports history class changed his focus and piqued his interest in sports technology.

“I was curious about what should be allowed in sports as far as technology is concerned,” Stone said.

He cited South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius’ use of prosthetic legs and the development of low-drag swim suits that were banned several years ago after swimmers where shattering world records.

“I wanted to know what all the fuss was about,” Stone said. “I also wanted to know what would give athletes an edge, help them pursue their passion and their dreams.”

Stone took a fluid mechanics class from Posner his junior year, and Posner asked for volunteers to work on a project to develop a safer football helmet.

“It was perfect timing,” Stone said. “I was just getting interested in sports technology.”

The success of the research project led to the formation of VICIS.

“I’ve been working on the entire project,” Stone said, “I’m kind of a miscellaneous guy. I’ve been running around between testing and materials.”

After taking a few weeks off, Stone will begin working for VICIS in July, now earning a salary instead of research credits.

Stone said the company is taking a “novel approach” in designing the helmet, but he is not free to discuss the details.

“It is exciting to be on the engineering ground level,” he said.

One of the Stone’s responsibilities was to measure the heads of several NFL players to help with the helmet design. He called the experience of meeting the Sunday-afternoon stars “surreal,” adding, however, there was little interaction with the players.

VICIS is working on prototypes, Stone said, and there is no set date for when the project will be completed.

The awareness of concussions and their damaging, long-term effects have been pushed to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years.

“The concern about concussions is ramping up,” Stone said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur in sports annually.

“Football is becoming so popular,” he said, “it would be sad if it failed because of the lack of safety.”

Stone, the son of Joshua and Eileen Stone, grew up in Coupeville and played soccer for the Wolves.

He said he was “tempted to play football — it looked like fun.”

He examined the pros and cons and decided “more could go wrong.”

Now he is trying to help shift the balance of the equation.