The Big Ten Conference began performance-enhancing drug testing in 2007. Testing is conducted year-round and at selected Big Ten Championships. The compliance office staff provides education regarding both the Big Ten and the NCAA drug-testing program during each sport’s organizational meetings at the beginning of each academic year.
The Athletic Department also conducts its own drug testing and education program for the welfare of student-athletes. The program was designed for the following reasons:
The Athletic Department, through an ongoing educational program, will continue to emphasize the health risks of all illegal and potentially harmful substances, including alcohol and tobacco. Additionally, the Athletic Department will not tolerate its employees encouraging student-athletes to use illicit substances (i.e., any illegal drug or banned performance-enhancing substance). Any Department staff member who distributes or recommends any student-athlete use illicit substances will be disciplined accordingly.
An Athletic Department action against a student-athlete for the student-athlete’s failure to comply may be appealed by the student-athlete in writing to the athletic director. Any action that would affect athletically related financial aid is subject to the five-step process mandated by NCAA rules. This includes an appeal to the faculty athletic representative and the Office of Financial Aid Review Committee.
Consistent with the educational mission of the Screening Program for Substance Abuse, the Athletic Department has adopted a Self-Referral Program in order to encourage student-athletes to seek voluntary assistance for improper drug use or abuse. This is an individualized process designed to allow student-athletes, without fear of disciplinary action, to initiate the contact by which drug use or abuse issues are identified, confronted, and addressed through voluntary participation in assessment, medical evaluation, counseling, and education. The student-athlete is exempt from departmental sanctions while participating in this process. Student-athletes may avail themselves of the Self-Referral Program one time during their association with the Athletic Department.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics through an ongoing educational program will continue to emphasize the health risks of all illegal and potentially harmful substances including alcohol and tobacco. This is not limited to substances tested by the NCAA. The substances for which the student-athlete may be tested include the following: