By Chris Vaccaro
A professional athlete’s name is always highlighted in the media and scrutinized. The same can’t be said for Pride athletes.
While they aren’t subjected to the same ridicule, their punishment can be just as severe as a professional athlete. A violation of University policy, which consists of a broad array of topics for actions of malcontent, isn’t highlighted around campus, but an athlete’s reputation is hurt potentially as much as their body from illegal substances.
Regardless of any violation, the policies inforced by the University are for the benefit of the athlete, to make every student-athlete aware that the school has guidelines that must be followed and if the rules are broken, there are steps to follow in order to get back on the right track.
The University’s Health and Safety Program consists of three parts: All student-athletes must participate in an educational program designed to address various health concerns such as drug use, alcohol abuse steroid use, eating disorders, and others, All student-athletes are required to take a preseason athletic physical, and Professional counseling is available through University Student Counseling Services, to support student-athletes. There is also random drug testing for all 18 men and women’s intercollegiate teams throughout the school year.
Like any organization or institution, the drug testing program is implemented to ensure the safety of individuals and in the University’s case, allow for a fair playing field according to Athletic Director Jack Hayes.
Image is another reason. The University doesn’t want bad publicity, so it will weed out any unnecessary problems by calling out any offender in violation of University policy.
“From an institutional standpoint, they are concerned about their image,” said Kay Haas, of the National Center for Drug Free Sport, the official administration of NCAA drug testing. “An institution doesn’t want to be embarrassed, but at the same time they care about the athlete’s welfare.”
Every University violation is brought to Hayes, who says he is satisfied with the current restrictions and rules the policy has.
“I like that it involves a consideration method,” Hayes said. “We sit down and try to understand why the policy is in place and then make sure that people are making the right decision.”
Hayes also keeps the University’s image in mind everytime the policy is discussed.
“People are representing the school on the playing field, in the airport, in hotels and they need to be doing things the right way,” he said. “You’re representing Hofstra and you’re representing yourself. It’s not just on the field. We want to make sure we’re doing things in a first class manner and represent the institution the best way we can.”
Most athletes don’t have a problem with the policy. If athletes don’t adhere to the restrictions, they simply won’t play. The random tests are given usually in locker rooms or bathrooms to attain urine samples, but only after paperwork and literature explaining the procedures and methods are read. Athletes are also made aware of the rules through signs posted all-over locker rooms stating the rules and regulations of the NCAA.
Sophomore volleyball standout Shellane Ogoshi was tested twice this year, once before the season during team physicals, and again at the mid-way point of the season. She agrees with being tested randomly, but there are always athletes who argue the procedure.
Pride junior quarterback Anton Clarkson, who was tested twice during his freshman and sophomore seasons, feels the testing is simply a formality.
“If someone chooses to abuse their body, that’s on them,” Clarkson said. “No frat kid is getting tested for marijuana and no [Italian] is getting tested for winstrol. It’s a biased thing, and just another way for the NCAA to nitpick.”
Each university will have to adhere to the main highlights from the NCAA’s policy, but can alter their own policies by changing rules within reason. Through a committee that includes two student-athletes, the athletic director, coaches, trainers and the head physician, changes and amendments can be made.
Changes, which are not really necessary since the plan is well sanctioned by the NCAA, are possible, but very minimal from school to school. First time Pride offenders are ineligible to play in 20 percent of regular and post season games and must attend three mandatory counseling sessions. Stony Brook University athletes are ineligible for 10 percent of the games and attend one counseling session.
An important feature of the University’s policy is its annual review. If there are any discrepancies and kinks in the system, they are worked out and fixed before something unnecessary occurs again. Last year there were minor modifications, but nothing significant from a sanction standpoint, Hayes said.
“With administrators and students, anytime people think of something beneficial for the program it will be looked at,” he said.
Men’s basketball coach Tom Pecora hasn’t experienced an issue with performance enhancing drugs, but has dealt with players being caught with marijuana. The policy was actually changed after two incidents, and with ample guidance, he has made sure his program has remained clean.
“Young people make mistakes,” Pecora said. “When you’re part of an athletic program, you’re held [accountable] on a lot of levels. We have a responsibility to teach them how to do the right thing.”
QUICK FACTS:
To give an idea of how many tests are administered across the country, during the fall of 2003 there were 2,056 samples collected from Division I football programs alone and 909 from Division II. In D-I there were eight positive test results ranging from use of Androstenedione (one), Nandrolone (three), Stanozolol (one), and Testosterone (three), while D-II had seven positive cases of similar drugs. Altogether there were 3,602 tests given to all fall sport teams, with 15 positive results in the bunch. The following spring in 2004, there were 5,378 tests given with 32 positive cases ranging from almost every sport, including football.
The NCAA has banned 33 stimulants, 27 anabolic agents, seven substances banned for those on rifle teams, 18 diuretics, three street drugs and five peptide hormones and analogues.
If an athlete is using one of these substances for medical purposes, the following rule applies: The NCAA recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, the NCAA allows exception to be made for those student-athletes with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for regular use of such a drug. Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned drugs: stimulants, beta-blockers, diuretics and peptide hormones (NCAA Bylaw 31.2.3).
The University was unable to comment on how many cases of substance abuse there have been.
