University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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ssues Athletes’ future holds DRUG te tcvic . by Jerry Buck THE ISSUES Administrator’s View - NAIA New Policy - Funding - Step in Right Direction - Random Testing - KSC Program - Individuals Protection Athletes View - Play Naturally - Fairness - No Testing - Own Choice - Being an Example Legal Aspects - Exploration Era - Constitutional Factors - Public’s Health and Safety - Athletics a Privilege - No Simple Answer Death can be the end result of it. The deterioration of body, mind and soul is its mark, while giving only a short-lived “high.” Drugs, one of the most common problems of today’s society, are soon to be dealt with by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the KSC athletics department. Through the awakening of the sports world, by the drug related deaths of prominent professional stars Len Bias and Don Rogers, action to educate athletes about drugs is being taken. The NAIA announced last summer that all colleges belonging to the association must adopt drug education and screen- ing programs for its athletes. Al Zikmund, KSC athletic director, said he and other staff members had an- ticipated this and were not surprised by the move since the professional and NCAA schools had similar policies. “It was only a matter of time before the NAIA jumped in,” Zikmund said. “I had contacted our coaches for their in- put and feelings along with our trainers and our team doctor, L. R. Smith.” But like all big projects, the drug ed- ucation and testing had certain prob- lems to ovecome to start the program. The main problem, according to Zikmund, will be financing. “I, along with other athletic direc- tors are concerned with the costs; we have heard so many variables, it’s frightening,” he said. “We have to find some kind of funding.” Zikmund said there have been esti- mates of testing costs ranging from $30 to $500 per athlete, depending upon what specific tests are made. Through general consensus of Al Zikmund most KSC coaches, the drug education and the testing is a good step in the right direction. Zikmund said KSC coaches have been involved in athletes’ drug ed- ucation for years and have stressed it in the manuals given players before the season starts. “I think testing is fine and I don’t be- lieve in athletes taking drugs,” said Ro- sella Meier, KSC volleyball head coach. “Drugs and sports don’t mix.” The 480 NAIA institutions submitted philosophy statements outlining their positions on drug abuse and described their methods of education and screen- ing athletes on the problem. The educa-

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s PORTS i Academics a priority graduation seen as athlete’s true goal by Loretta Young The desire to work on academics is the first characteristic Claire Boroff, head football coach, looks for in his re- cruits. “An athlete must have good charac- ter and pride, Boroff said. “Of course, athletic ability is important, but it’s not any good if you can’t work with it.” Kropp believes his players must have a good attitude as well as athletic ability to work effectively on the team. “If the athlete has a bad attitude, chances are he probably won’t work very well, Kropp said. “If the athlete has a good attitude and the potential of players at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln draws many prospective stu- dent-athletes away from KSC. However, the walk-on policy for basketball at KSC appears to be its strength as two-thirds of the recruits for this sport are walk- ons, Kropp said. Some of the coaches believe re- cruiting has gone through several trends in the last five years. “I think the colleges and universities are becoming more competitive,” Boroff said. “The schools are making big com- mitments to its athletes at each level.” Kropp believes KSC specifically has concentrated its efforts on stressing the importance of education. “We are definitely concerned with a student-athlete’s academic ability,” Kropp said. “It’s education before bas- ketball. When we recruit, we recruit a student-athlete. Zikmund said he feels the coaches and recruiters have been developing a recruiting trend of their own in the last few years. “These people work hard and make personal sacrifices for their teams,” Zikmund said. “I think the quality of these teams proves that point.” think the colleges and universities are becom- ing more competitive. The schools are making big com- mitments to their athletes. ’ — Bo- roff developing into an excellent athlete, his chances are better that he will succeed. ’ ’ KSC rarely recruits athletes out of the state, and as a result, competition for players on the state level can become in- tense, Zikmund said. The walk-on policy for football Allen Zikmund, KSC athletic director and Tom Kropp, men’s basketball recruiter, review strategies tor an upcoming game. s 25

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The NAIA has ruled that all member colleges must adopt a drug education and testing program for their athletes. Administrators and coaches are trying to determine just what that means at KSC. There are problems ... tion and testing must begin by January 1. 1988. At the present time I feel we will look at random testing, Zikmund said. We will follow the advice of our sports medicine branch. Meier agrees that random selection testing is best. The costs would be un- real if we tested everybody, she added. Zikmund said KSC's athletic depart- ment is looking at a two-part program. One is education of the athletes; we want to prevent drug abuse, he said,' 'and secondly if there are abusers, we want a rehabilitation program where we can get the athlete back in the main- stream of life and back into his sport. Another problem the NAIA's drug policy may have, along with the profes- sional teams and NCAA policies, is the protection some feel they have under the right of privacy act. Not many organi- zations have had this problem but it is still a problem for some, Zikmund said. What some may not realize is that the drug testing also offers protection. As Tom Osborne, University of Nebras- ka football coach said, no one can ac- cuse a person of taking drugs when he's been tested and everything is clear. But does KSC have athletes who have a drug problem? Let me stress that we don't have any problem with drugs at Kearney State, Zikmund said. Most of our kids are here for the education. He pointed out that of the players who have participated under Coach Jerry Hueser's basketball program, 87 percent have graduated. THE ATHLETE’S VIEW Drug testing! These words bring a lot of thoughts to many minds. What do the athletes think about being tested? Here are a few thoughts from some athletes to be tested in 1988. Eric Nesiba, 20, Wrestler - “I think it's a good idea because if you can t play a sport naturally, you shouldn't be playing the sport. That isn’t the way sports started out. Tam Sis. 19, Volleyball - I think it’s a good idea. It's not fair to us not on drugs. We are working hard and giving 100 percent and drug users are trying to take shortcuts. Mark Vincent, 20, Golf - I don’t think it's a good idea. You shouldn’t get tested just because you're an athlete; it's your job. People look up to teachers and they don’t get tested. Tammy Schmidt, 20, Softball - It isn’t going to hurt anything, it is all for the better. It is their (drug users) own choice. I don’t think it helps you anyway. It hurts the team if anything because I don’t think you can reach your potential. Jamie Yakel, 19. Football - 'Tm for it. Because these athletes are supposed to be examples to others, and by being on these drugs, they can't be a good example. If you're not using drugs, why not be tested. Todd Johnson, 20, Basketball - I think it's a good idea. I don’t think harmful drugs have a place in athletics. We should get rid of these drugs. Jamie Bolwitt, 19, Cross Country, Track - I suppose it’s a good idea. It wouldn't bother me any because I don't use them. There are probably not a whole lot of cross country runners who use them. If they are going to do it, I think every- body should be tested. Starting January 1, 1988, testing is scheduled to begin. The type of testing will eventually raise more questions and opinions. With KSC’s drug education, testing and rehabilitation programs under way, the athlete will probably have more questions and opinions on the issues of drug testing in sports. Presently, a majority of the athletes seem to approve of the new policy set by the NAIA. Only a few disapprove of testing the athletes only. 27