Random drug testing

It's random. Players chosen by NCAA/testing agency. My son was tested several times in college.

Random, the NCAA picks them from the roster.

It may be random, chosen by the NCAA but my sons 1st year all the freshman were tested. You don't have to be a starter just on the roster.

What do they test for? What are the penalties if caught?

In my son's freshman year he was tested at the NCAA Regionals in Texas. Was at the ballpark and told by his trainer to report for testing, along with three of four other players. Year/playing status does not matter.

Your school can test you at any time, but the NCAA will only test during the post season.

This an interesting topic as I started to think more about it. Are there two testing entities here? Some posters are saying that the school can test athlete anytime, and NCAA will test only during season. That was not my understanding. This brings up some interesting questions in my mind. I thought the NCAA empowered the school to do the testing.

1)Specifically what is NCAA looking for (assume PEDs). I know my son signed an NCAA form for this, as he mentioned it to me. It was his understanding that they (NCAA) could test anytime.

2) What specifically is the school looking for (assume PEDs and more), and can they test anytime?. That seems a little too extreme and doesn't pass the common sense test in my opinion. I'm not aware that my son signed something that allowed this.

I will be reading this from NCAA. I'm curious about the powers of the school to do testing and whether it is under the guidance of NCAA.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal...ng/drug_testing.html

The school can most definitely test an athlete at any time! Ever heard of someone getting suspended for "not complying with team policies"?? Your son would have signed this when he got to school going through all of the compliance paperwork...and the student athlete is aware of it, it isn't hidden anywhere.

I believe the NCAA can test any time during the year, but they don't...they will only test during the season of competition, and for baseball I've never heard of them testing before or after the NCAA tournament.

Catching 101 is on the mark. Schools can test any time but usually do not because it's expensive. NCAA also can test at any time.

Another major problem becomes "street drugs" which includes marijuana. My understanding is typically teams drug test when players first arrive as freshman. The NCAA will test usually before post season tournaments - which can include all the way down to league tournaments.

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:
The NCAA will test usually before post season tournaments - which can include all the way down to league tournaments.

The NCAA tests during the Championship tournament starting at the regional level. Have never heard of them testing before.

The NCAA does test football players, and then a few players from other sports in the Fall.This testing is for steroids.They can test for anything they want and whenver they want, but they don't.

They test for everything including street drugs when a team is in playoffs.

It is up to the school to conduct drug tests, The NCAA has pretty much left it to the schools.The school can test you anytime they want, you are given a notice.

If a player is caught with POT by NCAA, one year suspension.If he is caught by the school,it is their own individual rules and punishments.

Many schools put the player into drug counseling the first time.Some schools have zero tolerance, others have different ways of approaching it.

I have talked to the NCAA.I was checking on the protein supplement my son was drinking.They can tell you exactly what is in the name of a product and if it is safe.

With that being said, the NCAA can test any athlete anytime, so players hopefully dont fool themselves into thinking it cant happen.With the cost of testing they just cant afford to run all those tests all the time.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
This an interesting topic as I started to think more about it. Are there two testing entities here? Some posters are saying that the school can test athlete anytime, and NCAA will test only during season.

OK I appreciate the responses but admit this one got me a bit confused? Does the NCAA mandate that a school conduct "x" number of drug test on "x" number of players each season?

Given that schools can randomly test- would a school or rather COULD a school test a player that is not yet on the official roster to help them make a determination in keeping him or not? And if so is this OK with the NCAA?

I had a few minutes after work, so I read through the NCAA Drug Test Program Guidelines and it clarified a lot for me. It validated a lot of what has already been discussed (ie random year round testing, pot, stimulants, roster only, testing at regionals, etc...). I was looking at it from mostly a "privacy" and process perspective than a violation perspective.

It was a pretty easy read. I was concerned about the NCAA doing their random testing and then the school doing their random testing, etc...which would be annoying. There is only one testing administrator which was one of my big questions. It is clear that the institution is notified 2 days in advance that random testing will be done, and the players are then selected. College sports has changed alot in 30 years, when my coaches biggest concern was the lineup.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal...ng/drug_testing.html

Fenwaysouth and all posters-thank you for your clarity. What an awesome website!

quote:

I was concerned about the NCAA doing their random testing and then the school doing their random testing, etc...which would be annoying.

Why is that annoying? It's protecting the student athlete?

Mine were tested regularly in D III baseball. Younger son once forgot and went to the bathroom when he got up, so the "cupboard was bare" so to speak when he got to the Athletic Department. He had to stay there until he could "make water".

I'm not sure if the tests were by the school or the NCAA but suspect it was primarily the school.

quote:

Originally posted by bb2dy321:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
Given that schools can randomly test- would a school or rather COULD a school test a player that is not yet on the official roster to help them make a determination in keeping him or not? And if so is this OK with the NCAA?

I am not sure of the purpose of the question. Be prepared that in many programs school testing is done as soon as they step foot on campus after summer for the entire team, their failed test guidelines are different than the NCAA. Most programs have a one or two strike rule for failed testing, the NCAA is stricter. Remember, the NCAA is more concerned regarding competition results than anything.

In 3 years at school, I am not sure that the NCAA showed up until after advancement and was in full force in Omaha.

Nothing more annoying than having to pee in front of someone you never met before after you just played your guts out to advance in post season. I am not sure their purpose is to protect the student athlete, but more to protect the integrity of the champuionship.

quote:

Why is that annoying? It's protecting the student athlete?

Catching 101,

I agree the testing is protecting the athlete, school, sport and the NCAA. That is a great thing.

My concern was about coordination. My biggest question was....."Is the school doing their own thing and the NCAA doing their own thing?"....in other words are they working together with the same processes and rules. The answer I got from reading the manual is that they are and there is a central coordication of efforts that is documented.

Previously, my fear was no coordination of efforts and the possibility for abuse or rights violations. That would be annoying. Again, after reading the manual I feel much more comfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth:

quote:

Why is that annoying? It's protecting the student athlete?

Catching 101,

I agree the testing is protecting the athlete, school, sport and the NCAA. That is a great thing.

My concern was about coordination. My biggest question was....."Is the school doing their own thing and the NCAA doing their own thing?"....in other words are they working together with the same processes and rules. The answer I got from reading the manual is that they are and there is a central coordication of efforts that is documented.

Previously, my fear was no coordination of efforts and the possibility for abuse or rights violations. That would be annoying. Again, after reading the manual I feel much more comfortable.

I guess the answer to your question is yes...the school is doing it's own thing, and the NCAA is doing it's own thing. There is no communication between the two, a school does not have to report to the NCAA about a failed drug test.

Also, even if a player did get tested every week that wouldn't be a violation of rights...it is a privilege to play NCAA baseball, not a right! And that means that you must comply with the rules, including drug testing.