'Juicing' a problem in some college sports

by Joe Ryan
BRIDGEWATER — Athletes at Bridgewater State College are being anonymously drug tested this year as part of a pilot program designed to curb steroid use in Division III athletics.
The testing program at Bridgewater State College is part of a two year pilot program by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA.
“We do not have a specific policy for steroids; it is a drug policy that student athletes do not take drugs. This year we are part of the NCAA pilot program in which the NCAA goes to schools and administers a random anonymous drug test,” Sue Crosby Tangen, the associate director of athletics at Bridgewater, said.
The NCAA currently conducts drug testing in Division I and II and screens athletes at national championships.
After the pilot program, this testing could be done in throughout the Division III.
Bridgewater will also use a computer program next year to educate student athletes on steroids. Athletes will have to complete the program before their season starts.
“There will be education of student athletes on the risks of steroids. We are purchasing a computer program that can be used from student’s rooms,” Tangen said.
Members of the athletic departments from Bridgewater and Stonehill College say that testing and education is important because steroid use in college athletics is widespread.
“Steroids are up there, they are pretty prevalent,” Barry Darling, the associate athletic trainer at Stonehill College, said.
Sue Crosby-Tangen said that the problem has to do with supplements.
“Steroids are rampant…especially because of the accessibility of supplements,” Tangen said.
Stonehill College, as a Division II school, complies with NCAA regulations and random drug testing.
“Our policy mimics the NCAA, don’t do steroids, they are banned because of health dangers, the advantage they give, and the long term effect,” Darling said.
Cindy MacDonald, the senior associate director of athletics at Stonehill, says that the student athletes who are tested are chosen at random.
“Four students from one randomly selected sport and 12 from football are tested. This can be done once or twice a year…The punishment if caught is a one year loss of eligibility,” MacDonald said.
Critics say the NCAA does not do enough to prevent steroid use.
Only four percent of student-athletes each year are tested.
Both Darling and Tangen say more could be done at their own schools to prevent steroid use.
“The NCAA only tests once a year. The athletic department could have in house testing for steroids and street drugs…currently we don’t do that but it is a good idea,” Darling said.
Cindy MacDonald said that Stonehill discusses random testing each year.
“Every year we talk about random testing. At this point we don’t think we need to…but every year we have talked about it…If prevalence was found on campus that would prompt us to do something more drastic,” MacDonald said.
Random testing at Bridgewater State would be difficult because of budgetary restraints.
“I would love to random test but we don’t do it because we do not have the money…I think steroids are a problem and I think street drugs are a definite problem,” Tangen said.T
angen said that next year’s computer program will help educate students on the dangers of steroids and drugs.
Cindy MacDonald said that education is important but does not think it will stop those who want to use steroids.
“Education would be a plus but if it is their mindset to take steroids there might not be enough education to stop that process…If they want to take it they will take it and try their luck with random checks,” MacDonald said.
The NCAA has been able to curb steroid use with the random checks.
In 2001, there were 93 positive tests while in 2005 there were only 49. The NCAA has also started administering random tests during the summer.
“The NCAA does summer testing now…This is a step in the right direction because the summer is when a lot of kids are going to do it,” Darling said.

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