Athletes Face Fewer Drug Tests

Kenyon will no longer administer year-round drug tests to athletes, following a controversial decision from the Division III Presidents Council. The change in policy came on the heels of a two-year study stating what college athletes already  know: the use of performance-enhancing drugs is not prevalent enough to warrant year-round testing, and alcohol abuse is by far more prevalent on college campuses.

"The decision not to pursue year-round testing models shouldn't be interpreted as presidents not being concerned about drug use on our campuses," said Jim Bultman, chair of the Presidents Council. "On the contrary, we believe that, given the results of the pilot, an educational approach is the more prudent use of the Division's resources in this area."

The change will make it easier for students to conceal recreational drug usage, but athletes still risk severe penalties for failing a drug test. For first offenders, these penalties include mandatory registration with Kenyon's substance abuse educator, submission to designated testing, participation in all future drug tests at one's own expense and the necessity of receiving a referral before regaining NCAA eligibility. Second-time offenders must fufill the same requirements and sit out all Kenyon athletics for one year.

Any further offenses result in permanent ineligibility from participating in athletics altogether.

Are these penalties too harsh or too lenient? Interviews with Head Coach of Field Hockey Chrissy Needham and a student athlete revealed two different views.

Needham strongly supported testing. "I feel it is important to make sure our athletes are not endangering themselves by putting illegal or legal, but NCAA-banned, substances into their bodies," she said. "As role models for the campus and the community, we need to hold athletes to a higher standard than the general student population."

She also disapproved of the Council's decision to end year-round testing, saying, "I feel it [is] important that our athletes understand the year-round commitment they are making to the athletic program and thus believe they should be subject to testing year round," Needham said.

Alex Urist '15, who plays lacrosse, had a different opinion. "I agree with testing athletes for steroids only. If an athlete is not being paid to attend the school, then they should have freedom in their actions," he said.

Urist painted an unfortunate picture of students' experiences with drug testing.

"We have to drop our pants as the administrator looks from the side while we urinate," he said. He is glad the Council voted to reduce the number of tests each year.

Even without year-round testing, the Council said it believes it can still curb drug use. According to the NCAA website, DIII educational efforts will:

• Focus on effectively partnering with the student affairs community;
• Recognize and leverage the key role coaches play in influencing the behavior of student-athletes; and
• Prioritize alcohol abuse within the new educational framework.

Athletes and coaches both agreed that testing is far more effective because of its punitive nature. It punishes violators where education cannot. They also agreed that education is clearly a vital component in the process, but not nearly as effective as testing. The arguments for and against ending year-round drug testing continue, but for now, it is clear that Division III sports will change.