The NCAA is allowed to randomly drug test Division 1 college football players. Many don't know what is a banned substance and what is not. There is no actual list but players are still responsible for knowing about it. This is hard for athletes because there's so many substances that are not well known. It is important to report any medicines or supplements to the athletic trainer no matter how small amount you are taking, like an inhaler for asthma. Taking creatine is okay but caffeine in large doses would fail the test. Diet supplements will also fail the test and even some flavors of Vitamin Water can fail a test. If a football player fails the random test, they will lose their eligibility and will possibly lose their scholarship. The NCAA website has good information about drug testing and how they do it.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/53e6f4804e0b8a129949f91ad6fc8b25/2009-10+Banned+Drug+Classes.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=53e6f4804e0b8a129949f91ad6fc8b25
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f15/good-faq-ncaa-banned-substances-answers-why-muscle-milk-banned-686353/
I find it rather odd that the NCAA can randomly drug test athletes for drugs they may or may not be taking. It is also unfortunate for the athletes because there is no set list of what drugs are allowed and what ones aren't. The lists they offer only have a category of drug. The athlete could be taking a banned substance the is in a normal every day drink and not know it and in turn they could be suspended from a contest. I feel like a much more thorough list of banned substances needs to be constructed so an athlete can be positive that they are not taking them.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple buddies of mine that play division 1 football and what you said is definately true. i've always wondered about division three football though, because i know for most sports in division three you can't drug test till the NCAA's. That's pretty crazy that there's no set list though.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is pretty rediculous that they can just randomly drug test collegiate athletes. What i find even more rediculous is that there are some vitamin waters that athletes can't drink??? Like seriously, excess vitamin C or caffeine is band? That really doesn't make sense to me but I guess rules are rules. This is an interesting topic, they might want to reconsider some of the band substances though.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what it is like for Division 3 athletes? Can they get tested? I know that I have always had it on the back of my mind that I take an inhaler for asthma and that if it is not reported than it is possible that I could ruin a lot for myself and the team. We are hoping to make it to NCAAs this year so I think that this is going to pertain to the WSC volleyball team real soon. I am pretty sure alcohol, tobacco and even caffeine is banned.
ReplyDeleteI think that in order to inforce a list of banned substances then there needs to be an actual list. Almost all student athletes consume sports drinks or protein shakes and may be unaware of the ingredients in them and therefore they should not be punished. And I agree with Mike, excess vitamins and caffeine should not be banned, that is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea and a bad idea to test these athletes for substances. Regardless of athletic performance, the person who is taking these substances either small or high risk, they have a choice to do so. Most of these substances are bad for your health.
ReplyDeleteSteroids are a big problem in sports today and testing in D-1 sports is a good idea because these athletes are probably going to be pros and influencing children everywhere someday. For D-3 athletics, testing at the tournament level is good because of the small atmosphere at that level.
I agree that vitamins and caffeine should not be banned neither should NO Explode and especially vitamin water.