Athletics Risk Management and Compliance Services: Current Longhorns — Drug Testing
Student-Athletes at The University of Texas at Austin are subject to drug testing from three entities:
The Intercollegiate Athletics Program sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages student-athletes to avoid the use of unauthorized controlled substances, performance-enhancing drugs, alcohol, unapproved dietary supplements as well as tobacco products. While the primary purpose of this program is education and support-oriented, the serious nature of substance abuse requires development of sanctions as a deterrent to drug use. Student-athletes should be assured that the program is designed to maintain and promote their physical and mental well being. The objectives of the drug testing and education program are:
- To ensure that no one athletics participant might have an artificially induced advantage through the use of performance enhancing drugs and/or might be pressured to use performance enhancers in order to remain competitive.
- To safeguard the health and safety of participants;
- To maintain the integrity of the athletics program by emphasizing abstinence from the use of unauthorized controlled substances and alcohol;
- To educate student-athletes on the physical, psychological, social, and legal consequences of substance abuse;
- To provide an early detection system of substance abusers;
- To offer rehabilitation and counseling services for any student-athlete who may have a substance abuse problem; and
- To abide by all University, Big 12 Conference, and NCAA policies and procedures relative to drug testing and sanctions for positive tests.
Consequences of Positive Tests
UT Drug Test Program
1st Positive Test: The student-athlete is referred to a Substance Abuse Counselor for determination of an appropriate treatment plan, education, and additional medical assistance as needed. During the course of treatment, the student-athlete is subject to frequent unannounced drug testing for period of no less than two semesters. If the student-athlete fails to comply with the treatment protocol, he/she is subject to suspension by the Respective Athletics Director. The student-athlete is also subject to suspension for health and safety reasons by the Head Team Physician or violation of team rules by the Head Coach.
2nd Positive Test: The student-athlete will be reassigned to a counseling program approved by the Head Team Physician, subject to frequent unannounced drug tests, and subject to suspension from the intercollegiate athletics program. If suspended, the length of the suspension will be determined by the Respective Athletics Director based on treatment progress and results of unannounced retesting. A student-athlete is eligible for reinstatement only after he/she has met the conditions and procedures outlined in Section IX.
EXCEPTION: A second positive drug test for anabolic agents and/or equivalent compounds as identified and banned by the NCAA shall result in immediate dismissal from the intercollegiate athletics program and the student-athlete's financial aid based on athletics ability is permanently terminated at the end of the semester.
3rd Positive Test: The student-athlete is permanently dismissed from the intercollegiate athletics program and his/her financial aid based on athletics ability is permanently terminated at the end of the semester.
For information regarding reinstatement and/or appeals please consult The University of Texas at Austin's Drug Testing Policies and Procedures or your Student-Athlete Manual
Big 12 Drug Test Program
A student-athlete who tests positive for the use of a banned substance, other than a "street drug" as defined by the NCAA Banned-Drug Classes List, shall be declared ineligible to represent a Big 12 institution in intercollegiate competition during the time period ending one calendar year after the student-athlete's positive drug test, and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition in all sports if the season of competition has not yet begun for that student-athlete or a minimum of the equivalent of one season of competition in all sports if the student-athlete tests positive during his or her season of competition.
Team eligibility sanctions (i.e., contest forfeiture) may be imposed in the event that the institution, after having been notified of a positive test, knowingly allowed the student-athlete to compete.
For information regarding reinstatement and/or appeals please consult the Big 12 Drug Testing Protocol and Procedures.
NCAA Drug Testing Program
1st positive test: Suspension from competition for one year and the loss of one season of competition.
2nd positive test: A second positive test for anything other than "street drugs" will result in the loss of all remaining eligibility for collegiate competition. A second positive test for "street drugs" will result in suspension from competition for one additional year and the loss of a season of competition.
For information regarding reinstatement and/or appeals please consult the NCAA Drug Testing Program manual.
Tobacco Use
The NCAA prohibits the use of all tobacco products by student-athletes and all game personnel, including coaches, athletic trainers, managers and game officials, during practice and competition. The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport has recently instituted increased penalties for student-athletes' tobacco use during practice or competition.
If a student-athlete is discovered using tobacco during practice or competition, both that student-athlete and the Head Coach will be immediately disqualified for the remainder of that practice or competition, and possibly for additional practices or competitions.
Any coach found to be using tobacco products during practice or competition will be immediately disqualified from that practice or competition and could be disqualified for additional practices or competitions.
NCAA bylaws state that "the use of tobacco products is prohibited by all game personnel (e.g., coaches, athletic trainers, managers and game officials) in all sports during practice and competition." Similarly, "the use of tobacco products by student-athletes is prohibited during practice and competition. A student-athlete who uses tobacco products during a practice or competition shall be disqualified for the remainder of that practice or competition."
Links and Resources
