Association wimps out on steroid testing policy, By: Les Winkeler

09/06/06

The Illinois High School Association recently announced it is considering a steroid testing program. The organization deserves kudos for the thought.

However, the plan outlined by the organization has about as much bite as an infant with a sore jaw.

According to an Associated Press story released last week, the IHSA is considering random testing for steroids and growth hormones in state finals for football, basketball, track and other selected sports.

The testing could be implemented within the next two years.

So far, so good.

However, at this point the IHSA wimps out.

First, the tests would not be conducted until the state finals conclude. Why create a loophole?

Test the kids before the finals. If the test comes back positive, the kid is ineligible to play. Now, that is a deterrent.

Players who fail tests would be banned for a year.

Let's think about this for a second. Other than the obvious health hazards, how does this offer any additional deterrent to seniors who specialize in one sport?

Players caught using steroids would forfeit medals in individual sports, but schools would not be forced to give up team trophies if players tested positive.

What's up with that?

This is an important issue. We're talking about 16, 17 and 18-year-olds using substances that can ruin their young lives. Yet, we're not going to be bold enough to say, "No, you cheated, you can't have your trophy."

Let's get our priorities straight. Are we going to worry about trophies, or the health of the students?

Let's use every tool available to discourage steroid use. If peer pressure from clean teammates can keep a kid off the juice - let's use it to our advantage.

The real problem with the proposal is it only pertains to state finals.

Why?

The percentage of kids who make it to state finals is miniscule. If you're a good player on a bad team looking for a college scholarship - why not roll the dice and hope you don't get caught?

Obviously, cost is a problem with widespread testing. What's the answer? I'm not sure.

On the other hand, if we can find the money to run state tournaments, we ought to be able to come up with enough money to screen for drugs.

However, I do know many schools are already randomly testing kids in extra-curricular activities. Amazingly, in many places the kids are only being tested for recreational drugs, not performance-enhancing substances.

That seems like a great place to start.

However, if the state is going to implement a drug-testing program, let's be pro-active and not focused on suspending kids who no longer have any eligibility.

l Condolences to the family of Scott Jones of Centralia.

Jones, a long-time basketball and football official, died suddenly this weekend. He will be missed on and off the courts and playing fields.