2008 Woodie Awards
Dogs 'drop pants,' get drug-tested
Notifications not given
SAM STEINBERG
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Daniel Averso experienced his share of awkward situations since coming to the University, but the 6:30 a.m. urination sessions have to be the worst.
As a jumper on the University track and field team, Averso is subject to drug testing administered by the Athletic Association. On random days, he must rise early and urinate in front of an inspector of the same sex.
1st Offense:
• Suspension for a minimum of 10 percent of competition
• 20 hours of community service
2nd offense:
• If either of the offenses is a DUI or controlled substance, then the athlete is suspended for no less than half of the total season's contest.
• If not a controlled substance, then the athlete faces a minimum suspension of 30 percent.
• At least 40 hours of community service
3rd offense:
• Permanent suspension and loss of scholarship"You got to do the whole thing. You have to drop your pants. It is hard to pee," the sophomore from Lilburn said. "I have been in a lot of uncomfortable situations in college, and you can always bet that situation is the most uncomfortable, especially when you can't pee."
University athletes share this experience. The University will spend $50,000 testing its athletes this year, and Ron Courson, director of sports medicine, said the University conducts about 1,500 drug-test samples each year.
University officials don't reveal how many athletes have tested positive at the risk of violating medical confidentiality, but there have been positive tests and punishments.
Jack Bauerle, who is in his 29th year as the University's swimming and diving coach, has seen a few.
"I like to tell you that we haven't, but we have had some," Bauerle said. "I have been doing this 29 years, and I have had great kids make bad decisions, but they also turned out to be great kids and the testing helps that. If they get called on the carpet because of that, it may have saved them a month or two being on a bad path, and then they turn out to still be great kids."
* * *
The University is home to some of the world's elite athletes. In track and swimming and diving, athletes train not only for Southeastern Conference and NCAA titles but for Olympic medals as well. With Olympic goals come more layers of drug-testing.
Athletes can be tested any time by many groups: NCAA, the University's Athletic Association, World Anti-Doping Agency, United States Anti-Doping Agency and Fédération Internationale de Natation (which serves the international swimming association).
The reason for such vigilance is to keep athletics clean.
"The elite swimmers get tested by at least three separate entities, which I think it is a great thing because if nothing else sports should be on a level playing field," said Bauerle, who will lead the United States women's swimming team at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
Swimmer Aleksandra Putra, a junior from Givors, France, is a testing veteran. She competed for France in the 2004 Olympics and is working for 2008. She said she is tested at least 10 times yearly and must declare to Fédération Internationale de Natation her whereabouts three months in advance so it can test her without notice.
"We have no idea when it is going to come," Putra said.
Random and without warning
Because a University athlete is tested one month doesn't mean he or she is off the hook on the next test.
"It is just random and bad luck," Averso said.
Half the University's tests are given without prep time for the athletes.
"On our zero-notification test we give no notice at all," Courson said.
After being selected for drug-testing, athletes report to personnel certified by Aegis Sciences Corporation, the company contracted to oversee results.
"We don't use Athletic Association employees," Courson said. "We don't allow for conflict of interest."
On-site lab technicians are from St. Mary's Health Care System and the University Health Center. Technicians ensure samples are not diluted before sent to Aegis laboratories in Nashville.
Aegis started as a research division of Vanderbilt University. In 1990 it moved off-campus. Aegis provides post-mortem and forensic toxicology tests.
"As a forensic laboratory, we treat every sample as if it is going to be evidence in a hearing or a criminal proceeding," said David Black, Aegis founder and president.
Aegis provides the University two tests. The one, $30, detects marijuana, cocaine, narcotics, depressants and amphetamines. The higher level test - used 200 to 300 times a year - costs $100 and searches for steroids and masking agents.
Univ. more lenient than NCAA
It is better to get caught by the University than NCAA. On the first positive test by the NCAA, an athlete receives a one-year suspension from competition. On a second positive result, the athlete's playing career is over.
An athlete caught by the University is suspended for a minimum of 10 percent of the season, entered in a drug education program and required to perform 20 hours of community service. On the second positive test, the athlete is suspended for at least 30 percent of competition. A third positive result means an athlete's career is over.
"The NCAA is more of a testing program, and it is designed to be a deterrent. Most collegiate programs are more comprehensive where they are a testing, education and counseling program," Courson said.
Although inconvenient, Bauerle said he sees the benefits.
"Sometimes it can be a little intrusive, but the benefits outweigh the negatives," he said. "Anytime you have a privilege, you have a responsibility."
As a jumper on the University track and field team, Averso is subject to drug testing administered by the Athletic Association. On random days, he must rise early and urinate in front of an inspector of the same sex.
DO DRUGS, DON'T PLAY
The University's athlete drug-testing policy:1st Offense:
• Suspension for a minimum of 10 percent of competition
• 20 hours of community service
2nd offense:
• If either of the offenses is a DUI or controlled substance, then the athlete is suspended for no less than half of the total season's contest.
• If not a controlled substance, then the athlete faces a minimum suspension of 30 percent.
• At least 40 hours of community service
3rd offense:
• Permanent suspension and loss of scholarship
University athletes share this experience. The University will spend $50,000 testing its athletes this year, and Ron Courson, director of sports medicine, said the University conducts about 1,500 drug-test samples each year.
University officials don't reveal how many athletes have tested positive at the risk of violating medical confidentiality, but there have been positive tests and punishments.
Jack Bauerle, who is in his 29th year as the University's swimming and diving coach, has seen a few.
"I like to tell you that we haven't, but we have had some," Bauerle said. "I have been doing this 29 years, and I have had great kids make bad decisions, but they also turned out to be great kids and the testing helps that. If they get called on the carpet because of that, it may have saved them a month or two being on a bad path, and then they turn out to still be great kids."
* * *
The University is home to some of the world's elite athletes. In track and swimming and diving, athletes train not only for Southeastern Conference and NCAA titles but for Olympic medals as well. With Olympic goals come more layers of drug-testing.
Athletes can be tested any time by many groups: NCAA, the University's Athletic Association, World Anti-Doping Agency, United States Anti-Doping Agency and Fédération Internationale de Natation (which serves the international swimming association).
The reason for such vigilance is to keep athletics clean.
"The elite swimmers get tested by at least three separate entities, which I think it is a great thing because if nothing else sports should be on a level playing field," said Bauerle, who will lead the United States women's swimming team at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
Swimmer Aleksandra Putra, a junior from Givors, France, is a testing veteran. She competed for France in the 2004 Olympics and is working for 2008. She said she is tested at least 10 times yearly and must declare to Fédération Internationale de Natation her whereabouts three months in advance so it can test her without notice.
"We have no idea when it is going to come," Putra said.
Random and without warning
Because a University athlete is tested one month doesn't mean he or she is off the hook on the next test.
"It is just random and bad luck," Averso said.
Half the University's tests are given without prep time for the athletes.
"On our zero-notification test we give no notice at all," Courson said.
After being selected for drug-testing, athletes report to personnel certified by Aegis Sciences Corporation, the company contracted to oversee results.
"We don't use Athletic Association employees," Courson said. "We don't allow for conflict of interest."
On-site lab technicians are from St. Mary's Health Care System and the University Health Center. Technicians ensure samples are not diluted before sent to Aegis laboratories in Nashville.
Aegis started as a research division of Vanderbilt University. In 1990 it moved off-campus. Aegis provides post-mortem and forensic toxicology tests.
"As a forensic laboratory, we treat every sample as if it is going to be evidence in a hearing or a criminal proceeding," said David Black, Aegis founder and president.
Aegis provides the University two tests. The one, $30, detects marijuana, cocaine, narcotics, depressants and amphetamines. The higher level test - used 200 to 300 times a year - costs $100 and searches for steroids and masking agents.
Univ. more lenient than NCAA
It is better to get caught by the University than NCAA. On the first positive test by the NCAA, an athlete receives a one-year suspension from competition. On a second positive result, the athlete's playing career is over.
An athlete caught by the University is suspended for a minimum of 10 percent of the season, entered in a drug education program and required to perform 20 hours of community service. On the second positive test, the athlete is suspended for at least 30 percent of competition. A third positive result means an athlete's career is over.
"The NCAA is more of a testing program, and it is designed to be a deterrent. Most collegiate programs are more comprehensive where they are a testing, education and counseling program," Courson said.
Although inconvenient, Bauerle said he sees the benefits.
"Sometimes it can be a little intrusive, but the benefits outweigh the negatives," he said. "Anytime you have a privilege, you have a responsibility."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
stephen
posted 11/30/07 @ 9:56 AM EST
"On random days, he must rise early and urinate in front of an inspector of the same sex."
HOT
Anonymous
posted 11/30/07 @ 1:53 PM EST
Great Article.
Very informative and engaging.
Post a Comment