Wednesday, October 29, 2008
15 UNT athletes fail drug test
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Fifteen players on the active roster of the NT football team - 17 % - tested positive for drug use in a random screening given by the university from September 24 to October 15.
According to a news release, tests were administered at the request of football head coach Todd Dodge. In a press conference, Dodge said his reason was to test for 'street drugs' rather than steroids and other typically assumed performance enhancers.
Photo not provided by NT Daily
At the time, all 86 active members of the team were screened. Because of information protection by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the university could not confirm the names of the 15 athletes that tested positive.
University policy states that any athlete is subject to random drug screenings.
As a Division I school under the National Collegiate Athletic Association, all student athletes that test positive to a non-NCAA drug test must allow the NCAA to administer additional screenings. If he or she fails the accompanying NCAA drug test, the athlete will lose remaining eligibility for that year.
The NCAA chose 20 players to include in a random drug screening on Sept. 30, but testing has not been completed, and results have not been received by the university.
According to NT policy, after a first offense of failing a university-administered drug test, the athletes must also participate in a counseling program to maintain eligibility. Multiple offenses increase severity of punishment, ending with permanent suspension from the team after the fourth offense.
Pegasus News content partner - North Texas Daily
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Comments
Scott Doyle Verified
1 out of 6 are juiced and they can't even scratch a tally in the win column? Scallywags!
And you only get suspended on your 4th offense? Tough as nails, Dodge!
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
These are the guys you're buying a pretty new clubhouse, right ScoDo?
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
Maybe they're using the wrong drugs, Scott.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Erin Rice Staff
The philosophy on university athlete drug testing is basically that there's a distinction between the use of street drugs and performance enhancers.
In a non-NCAA test, if you test positive for street drugs, it's treated as more of a personal problem, something that affects the wellness of the athlete. Most universities have policies to help the students "get clean." Hence why they're not necessarily kicked off the team until the 4th offense.
When an athlete tests positive for a performance enhancer, the punishment is usually swifter and more severe because the student is seen as trying to cheat in his/her sport.
Granted, those are just for university-sponsored drug tests. If it's the same as when I was a college athlete, an NCAA sponsored test, which for most sports just comes around playoff time, testing positive for any banned substance can lose you a year or more of eligibility.
According to the article, the students weren't necessarily "juiced," they tested positive for street drugs, meaning marijuana or cocaine or something. I would guess if you're getting high all the time, it makes it a little harder to perform at your athletic best... hence the lack of wins.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
James Scott Verified
Yeah, I think that actually explains their record if almost a quarter of the team is worried about hangin' around getting high rather than focusing on ball (or school maybe?).
That's probably why Dodge ordered the drug tests..."...I know I don't suck that bad as a coach - these kids must be on something..."
Maybe they'll clear-headed enough to win in a few weeks for their last home game I was thinking of attending.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
I say, if you test positive for a street drug, you should have to be on that drug during the game. A few games where the quarterback is too stoned to remember which way to throw the ball, or where he's too methed out to stop counting the stitches on the football, and the problem will solve itself!
Unless of course they're on PCP, in which case someone might have to make some difficult phone calls explaining that someone's kid was eaten by a defensive lineman.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Touche, Erin. However, Dodge simply said the intent was to test for street drugs...performance enhancers could easily be found in the process.
The question is: What would Mike Singletary do? It's explained above that the NCAA would suspend eligibility for the year if their accompanying test came back positive as well. I simply feel it's asinine that the NCAA has to do their dirty work for them - especially if scholarships are involved.
Speaking of, UNT's the 1st Sun Belt team to officially become bowl ineligible! We're #1!! (only o'fer company we have in Division 1-A is the U-Dub Huskies, and at least they have the excuse of playing in the Pac-10)
Jason, I ain't buying them s*&@. All I can hope for is the new "green" stadium giving me enough of a contact high that players in view appear faster than they really are. And that's only after I bum a ticket off somebody because I'm too bitter to pay the cost of admission.
Sure hope they have awesome munchies at concession.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
With the second comming on election day and taking drugs to play sports, cant t.v watching cure these kids like junk food has for million of people now defunt. Dr Pheibs, Holloween.
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Todd Spigener Verified
I think those players should share their "street drugs" with the team's fans. Maybe it would make the team easier to watch (and their losses easier to take).
8 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chriss Anonymous
If the drugs in question aren't performance enhancers, they really should be of no concern. It's not the job of colleges or coaches to carry water for the government.
BTW, is good old alcohol one of the banned substances that's grounds for disqualification?????? Just askin'
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Who's worried about the government? If they were concerned with laws being broken, they'd just make the players take tests administered by the authorities. Christ.
Any coach worth his salt is concerned with integrity of his players and preparing them for the world beyond (bad) college football. At the very least, they need something to blame a winless season on. C'mon now.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
They shoot horses dont they......A.T. horse flesh dealer.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Olson Verified
Coach must have been on to something. Team got clean and they won.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?g...
Of course it's not like beat a team that was very good themselves.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
WKY still put up 40 points on us and over 100 more total yards. =(
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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