NCAA-style steroid tests a possiblity for student-athletes, By: Josh Hixson

June 14, 2007

McKinney high school student-athletes could face a drug-testing program next fall similar to the NCAA’s, according to officials from the University Interscholastic League (UIL).

Charles Breithaupt, UIL assistant director and director of athletics, said Tuesday the National Center for Drug Free Sport is considered a “frontrunner” among the 50 other companies the UIL has been in conversation with.

The National Center For Drug Free Sport conducts drug testing and analysis for the NCAA, Minor League Baseball and most recently statewide high-school playoffs in New Jersey, according to Frank Uryasz, president of the National Center For Drug Free Sport.

Uryasz described drug tests his company would offer the UIL as on par with NCAA and Olympic drug-testing programs

“(The UIL) would get a steroid test that would be similar to what is conducted at the collegiate or Olympic level,” Uryasz said. “(We test) for a complete list of anabolic steroids banned by the NCAA. We also test for substances called masking agents or urine manipulators.”

Cliff Odenwald, former Plano Independent School District athletics director and newly named associate athletic director for the UIL, will oversee implementation of the steroid testing program. Odenwald said schools will be chosen randomly to undergo testing by an agency other than the UIL. “The testing companies will make that decision based on random selection,” Odenwald said.

Breithaupt said while the UIL has yet to decide on a firm to implement the testing and analysis required by Senate Bill 8, the National Center For Drug Free Sport has the kind of experience on the state and national level the UIL is looking for.

“They have done all the NCAA testing and have done the testing for New Jersey,” Breithaupt said.

The $3 million-a-year program could test about 20,000 athletes at about $150 a test, Breithaupt said.

“I think it will be hard for us to predict what it is going to cost. But we have to say it is adequate, because this is what we have,” Breithaupt said.

Uryasz said 20,000 athletes at $150 a test is possible, however it is too early to tell what an effective testing program would require.

“It doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility, but it is difficult to say without putting pencil to paper,” Uryasz said. “It would depend on the collection costs.”

Breithaupt agreed that some high schools in remote areas of Texas could drive the cost of a testing program higher.

Uryasz compared the future UIL program to current practices in the NCAA. The NCAA budget for drug testing averages to $300 an athlete for 15,000 to 16,000 athletes, Uryasz said.

“I am confident a testing program in Texas could be done for much less than that,” Uryasz said.

Also, the UIL’s Legislative Council voted Monday to ban athletes from UIL competition for 30 days after a positive test for steroids. The second offense would require a suspension for a year and a third would ban an athlete permanently for the remainder of their high school eligibility.

First- or second-time offenders will also have to pay for and submit an additional negative test before they can return.

Senate Bill 8 was approved by the Texas Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Rick Perry’s signature.

“I think the governor should approve the bill by the end of the week,” Odenwald said.