Fall

Cross Country (M)
Cross Country (W)
Football
Rugby (W)
Soccer (M)
Soccer (W)
Volleyball

Winter

Basketball (M)
Basketball (W)
Swimming (M)
Swimming (W)
Indoor Track (M)
Indoor Track (W)
Wrestling

Spring

Baseball
Golf (M)
Golf (W)
Softball
Tennis (M)
Tennis (W)
Outdoor Track (M)
Outdoor Track (W)

Jason Hall

Assistant Athletic Director
Compliance and Academic Services
(217) 581-6992
cfjrh2@eiu.edu

Cindy Tozer

Director of Academic Services
(217) 581-7059
cscla@eiu.edu

Eastern Illinois University Department of Athletics

Substance Abuse Testing Policies and Procedures

The Eastern Illinois University (EIU) Athletics Department is committed to the physical and mental health and well-being of its student-athletes.   The University recognizes that the use of certain drugs, legal or illegal, is not in the best interests of the student-athlete or EIU Athletics.   In an effort to combat the use of illicit drugs, EIU has implemented a comprehensive substance abuse education and testing program to promote healthy and responsible lifestyles for student-athletes.

A student-athlete is a student whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student's ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program.   Any other student becomes a student-athlete only when the student reports for an intercollegiate squad that is under the jurisdiction of the athletics department, as specified in Bylaw 3.2.4.4 of the NCAA manual.   A student is not deemed a student-athlete solely on the basis of prior high-school athletics participation. (Bylaw 12.02.5 NCAA manual)

Eastern Illinois University reserves the right to alter, amend, or modify this Substance Abuse Testing Policy at any time without notice to the student-athlete, coaches, compliance officer(s), sports medicine personnel and/or athletics administration staff.

Purpose:

The purpose of the EIU Substance Abuse Education and Testing Program is multifaceted.   The program focuses on the following objectives:

1. Deterring the use of drugs and alcohol;
2. Identifying banned substance users;
3. Providing rehabilitation and educational services;
4. Counseling student-athletes who do not adhere to the requirements of the program.

Program Compliance / Eligibility:

To become and remain a participant within EIU Athletics, a student-athlete must comply with the terms of this program that encompasses drug education, screening, and counseling. By signing EIU’s Drug Testing Policy Consent form , the student-athlete agrees to submit to any and all tests ordered by EIU Athletics in order to detect unauthorized drug use. Completion of this document is required of all student-athletes as a part of their pre-participation physical examination. Violations of this policy may also be referred to Student Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action.

All athletes enrolled at EIU on the athletic roster (coded in the mainframe) are eligible for drug testing. This includes but is not limited to, red-shirts, gray-shirts, academically ineligible and medically ineligible student-athletes. Student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and those student-athletes receiving fifth-year athletic financial aid are subject to drug testing.

What is Being Tested For / Banned Substances:

The Eastern Illinois University Athletics Department utilizes the most current NCAA List of Banned Drug Classes (NCAA Bylaw 31.2.3.1) for its substance abuse testing program.   This list may be obtained through:

a) the current EIU Student-Athlete Handbook/Planner
b) A member of the EIU Sports Medicine Department;
c) A member of the EIU Athletics Compliance Office; or
d) The NCAA Sports Sciences internet site ( www.ncaa.org/sports_sciences/drugtesting ).

No substance belonging to the prohibited class(es) may be used, regardless of whether it is specifically listed as an example.

Selection / Frequency:

All EIU student-athletes are subject to drug testing.   Selection for the drug testing will occur randomly throughout a student-athlete's association with EIU Athletics.   The Senior Associate Director of Athletics, and/or designee will determine the date, time, and site for testing.   EIU will conduct random drug testing a minimum of one (1) time every eight (8) weeks, up to a maximum of once every 24 hours.   All student-athletes are eligible for each test .   Therefore, someone may be tested more than once per year.  

“Reasonable Suspicion” Testing:

In addition to random drug testing, the Eastern Illinois University Athletics Department reserves the right to screen a student-athlete anytime there is reasonable suspicion that he/she may be engaged in the use of banned substances.   The term “reasonable suspicion” means that information has been received by a member of the coaching staff, Sports Medicine Department, and/or athletics administration, in good faith, from a reliable source or sources regarding a student-athlete's use of banned substances.   Furthermore, a student-athlete's possession or use of a prohibited substance, arrest or conviction related to the possession of, use or trafficking of banned substances, and/or abnormal conduct interpretable as being caused by the use of banned substances, all rise to the level of reasonable suspicion.

Notification Process:

1. Upon selection, student-athletes will be notified prior to testing by a member of the EIU Sports Medicine Department, the student-athlete's coach, and/or a member of the EIU athletics administration.  

   a. Personnel will call all available phone numbers in an effort to notify the student-athlete.
   b. Personnel WILL NOT leave a phone message on the student-athlete's voice mail or with anyone answering the phone besides the student-athlete.

2. Notification will take place no more than twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled test.
   
3. Upon notification, the student-athlete will be asked to read and sign an EIU Substance Abuse Testing Notification Form , notifying him/her of the date, time, and site of the testing, as well as any other special instructions pertinent to the test.
   
   a. The student-athlete will be instructed to report to the test site with a picture ID.
   b. The student-athlete will not be allowed to practice or otherwise participate in team activities until he/she has reported to the testing site and supplied a viable sample.
   
4. It is the EIU Test Site Coordinator's responsibility to notify the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and/or designee of those individuals that do not report for their test within the scheduled time periods.
   
5. If a student-athlete does not report at the scheduled time for his/her test, he/she will be sanctioned appropriately for his/her action.   A "no show" will be interpreted as a positive test result, and the student-athlete will enter the EIU Substance Abuse Program at the appropriate level.

Testing Procedure

EIU Sports Medicine or an outside company under contract with the University will supervise the collection, screening, and analysis of a urine sample from the student-athlete. At the time of collection, all samples will be screened for a specific gravity level.   If a sample does not meet the required level of specific gravity, the student will be required to remain in the drug testing area until an adequate sample can be obtained, or until released by Sports Medicine personnel.   If the sample meets required specific gravity levels according to the methods available at the time of collection, but does not meet those standards upon laboratory analysis, the sample may be tested for diuretics

Consequences of Positive Test Results

First Positive Test

1. The student-athlete will be required to have a meeting with the Head Athletic Trainer and the head coach upon positive test notification to discuss the test results and to provide information about on-campus and off-campus resources for drug counseling.
2. The student-athlete will be notified at the meeting of his/her immediate suspension from all countable athletic activities for a period of 30 days.
1. Following the 30 day suspension, the student-athlete may resume full participation in all countable team activities unless additional restrictions are imposed by the team physician .
2. Suspension is invalid during academic breaks and summer break except if countable athletic activity is occurring during this time. Suspension will be deferred until next countable athletic activity for that sport.
3. Suspension is invalid during off-season if no countable athletic activity is taking place. Suspension will be deferred until next countable athletic activity for that sport.
3. An evaluation and counseling session at the EIU Counseling Center or an off-campus facility such as Central East Alcohol and Drug Council will be recommended.
4. The athlete will be reminded of the previously signed Drug Testing Policy Consent form, which allows the Head Athletic Trainer to discuss positive test results, including sanctions, with parents or legal guardians.
5. The student-athlete will be subject to repeated unannounced drug testing to be conducted at any time under the supervision of the Head Athletic Trainer.
6. The Team Physician reserves the right to impose additional restrictions to all countable athletic activity if medically indicated and/or if the student-athlete’s health or safety will be compromised while the drug is present in the body.
7. A team physician(s) may suspend the student-athlete from all countable athletic activities indefinitely if medically indicated.
8. The Director of Athletics will make all judgments and decisions other than those listed above. All decisions are final.

Second Positive Test

1. The student-athlete will be required to have a meeting with the Head Athletic Trainer and the head coach upon positive test notification to discuss the test results and to provide information about on-campus and off-campus resources for drug counseling. (The substance does not need to be the same substance that resulted in the first positive test.)
2. The student-athlete will be notified at the meeting of his/her immediate suspension from all countable athletic activities for a period of 90 days and of the loss of all athletic financial aid for a period of 12 months.
1. Following the 90 day suspension a repeat drug test will occur. Upon notification of negative test results, the student-athlete may resume participation in all countable team activities (except competitions) unless additional restrictions are imposed by the team physician.
2. Suspension is invalid during academic breaks and summer break except if countable athletic activity is occurring during this time. Suspension will be deferred until next countable athletic activity for that sport.
3. Suspension is invalid during off-season if no countable athletic activity is taking place. Suspension will be deferred until next countable athletic activity for that sport.
3. The Head Athletic Trainer will inform the student-athlete that he/she will serve a 365 day suspension from all competitions.
1. Athlete must remain on athletic roster for 365 day suspension to be valid. (Athletes that “quit” the team (removed from roster) then request reinstatement will be required to fulfill 365 day suspension while on athletic roster prior to reinstatement.)
4. Evaluation, education, and counseling at the EIU Counseling Center or an off campus facility such as Central East Alcohol and Drug Council shall be mandated.
1. The student-athlete shall be required to sign a waiver requiring a treatment facility/program to release information to the Athletic Department documenting his/her attendance at each session.
2. All costs associated with counseling, treatment and rehabilitation are the sole responsibility of the student-athlete.
3. Any unexcused absence from, and/or failure or refusal to participate in the conditions set forth and any additional conditions provided by the counselors will be treated as a third positive test.
5. The student-athlete will be required to contact his/her parent or guardian in the presence of the Head Athletic Trainer and the student-athlete’s head coach.
6. The student-athlete will be subject to repeated unannounced drug testing to be conducted at any time under the supervision of the Head Athletic Trainer.
7. The Head Athletic Trainer may require the student to meet with a Team Physician and/or other department or University personnel.
8. The Team Physician reserves the right to impose additional restrictions to all countable athletic activity if medically indicated and/or if the student-athlete’s health or safety will be compromised while the drug is present in the body.
9. A team physician(s) may suspend the student-athlete from all countable athletic activities indefinitely if medically indicated.
10. The Director of Athletics will make all judgments and decisions other than those listed above. All decisions are final.

Third Positive Test

If a student receives a third positive test for any Banned Substance, the Head Athletic Trainer will meet with the student to discuss the results and to provide information about on-campus and off-campus resources for drug counseling. (The substance does not need to be the same substance that resulted in any earlier positive test.) The student will be terminated from the athletic program and will lose all athletic financial aid.  

Exhausted eligibility and 5th year aid

Student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and those student-athletes receiving fifth-year athletic financial aid are subject to drug testing. Upon notification of a positive drug test, all athletic financial aid will be terminated without future consideration for reinstatement. In addition, privileges such as, but not limited to, use of EIU’s strength and conditioning facilities will be immediately withdrawn.

Information about Test Results

The Athletic Director, Athletics Administration, Head Athletic Trainer, the student-athlete’s head coach and the team physician may be informed of test results. The certified athletic trainer assigned to that sport may also be notified, if medically appropriate. Other university employees may be informed of test results to the extent necessary for the implementation of this policy and/or for the performance of their duties.

Appeals Process

A student-athlete may appeal the finding of a positive result, violation of this policy, or the sanction imposed for either a positive test or violation of this policy. To appeal the student must provide written evidence of a material procedural error, evidence that refutes the positive finding or violation, or evidence that the sanction is unreasonable. The student must submit the written appeal to the Athletic Director within 7 days after the student is notified of the decision to be appealed. If the student does not appeal within 7 days, the result, finding or sanction cannot later be reviewed.

If the student wishes to appeal a positive test result, a finding of a policy violation, or a sanction other than suspension, the Athletic Director will appoint a 3-member appeals committee to review the evidence and make a recommendation. The Athletic Director will provide a written decision to the student. This decision will be final.

The decision of a team physician to suspend a student from play or practice on medical grounds is not a sanction under this policy.

Education/Counseling for Drug Use/Abuse (Including Alcoholism)

EIU encourages students to seek assistance for problem drug and alcohol use. Additional information, literature and confidential counseling are available to student-athletes through EIU Student Health Services and EIU Counseling Center .

Confidentiality of Test Results

All information and records associated with the EIU drug testing policy, including test results, will remain confidential and, unless otherwise required by law, may be released only to the following persons:

1. Director of Athletics
2. Senior Associate Athletic Director
3. Head Athletic Trainer
4. Head Coach
5. Counseling and Consultation
6. Team Physician(s) and appropriate Student Health Center personnel
7. Other EIU employees, as necessary to implement this policy and/or for the performance of their duties.

All members of the EIU Athletics Department are expected to respect a student-athlete's right to privacy.   It is essential that anything seen, heard, read, and/or otherwise obtained remain confidential by all parties involved.   It is illegal for any personnel to gain access to patient information, through any and all means, unless the information is needed in order to treat the patient, or because their job would require such access.

All EIU Athletics Department personnel are expected to adhere to the University's Confidentiality Policy at all times.   Violation of the policy may incur disciplinary action at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.

Media Relations:

All questions from the media regarding a suspended athlete will be addressed by the Senior Associate Athletic Director.   All information and records associated with the EIU drug testing policy, including test results, will remain confidential to the extent permitted by law.   Questions to the Senior Associate Athletic Director regarding an athlete's participation status or lack thereof, will be answered in terms of a violation of athletic department policy without mention of the department's drug testing policy or terms therein.   All results and impending sanctions will remain confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Minimal Tolerance:

• Any student-athlete who engages in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs is subject to dismissal from the EIU Athletics Program.
• Any existing athletics financial aid will be terminated.
• Further sanctions by the University may be imposed.

Alcohol Policy

The consumption of alcohol by a student-athlete is prohibited during any official intercollegiate team function.  An official team function, for purposes of definition with regard to this policy, is defined as any activity held at the direction or under the supervision of the team’s coaching staff.

An Eastern Illinois University student-athlete who consumes alcohol will be accountable for any alcohol-related incident in which he or she is involved on or off campus.  In such cases, the student-athlete is subject to the Department of Athletics or team disciplinary action dependent upon the incident having or not having legal implications.

If a student is involved in an alcohol-related incident in which there are no legal implications, the head coach of that team and the athletic administrator supervising that program will determine if the circumstances warrant suspension of the student-athlete from practice and/or competition.  A recommendation may also be made for the student-athlete to attend counseling.

EIU student-athletes are subject to University sanctions for conduct associated with the illegal and/or irresponsible possession and use of alcohol.  In the event the Office of Student Affairs imposes disciplinary sanctions against the student-athlete, the head coach and the administrator supervising that sport will review the findings and recommend whether additional sanctions will be imposed and/or recommend counseling.

Finally, the Athletic Department prohibits the purchase of alcoholic beverages to be used by any department – affiliated person who is under the legal drinking age.  This applies to PROSPECTIVE student-athletes while visiting the University and their student hosts.  Regardless of whether a student-athlete or student host has reached the legal drinking age, purchasing alcohol for consumption by a person under the legal drinking age (a teammate or, in most cases, a prospective student-athlete) is a violation of state law.

Use of Tobacco Products

The use of tobacco products by a student-athlete 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 (Bylaw 17.1.7 NCAA manual).

Back to Top

600 Lincoln Avenue | Charleston, IL 61920-3099
E-mail: wmaster@eiu.edu | Phone: (217) 581-5000 (0 on Campus)
© 2004 | Disclaimer