Student athletes have many things on their minds throughout the school year. Practice, academics and the dream of an NCAA championship are among these thoughts. The Ohio State Department of Athletics, however, is focused on making sure the student athletes’ dreams are carried out in a safe manner.

The NCAA Drug-Testing Program was created in 1986 to ensure that participants do not have an artificially enhanced advantage over opponents.

“Drug testing is sometimes seen negatively, but we want people to see it as a positive,” said Bill Davis, director of athletic training at OSU.

However, many students see a positive side to drug tests.

“The drug tests are good because it keeps the playing fields fair,” said Bo Snyder, a senior in agricultural and construction systems management. “It should be a privilege to be an athlete at OSU. Students and fans see athletes in a higher standard, and the drug tests help to make sure they act like they are.”

Davis said the goal of the program is to be positive and help those who are breaking the anti-drug policy to improve themselves.

Davis said the two different types of drug testing are NCAA and institutional drug testing. The NCAA only tests three or four sports year round, Davis said. Sports tested include football and men and women’s track and field.

“I am made aware of NCAA tests before they happen. They are controlled by individuals outside of the city,” Davis said.

In NCAA testing, any percentage of the active roster of a team is selected for the test. The test is usually administered early in the morning.

The NCAA also does testing during championships. These can occur at any time during a championship.

The NCAA policy is very strict. Those who test positive for illegal drug use are suspended from the sport for one year.

Institutional drug testing is administered randomly by the OSU Deparment of Athletics to all sports.

“Teams are usually brought to practice an hour early and must provide a sample to practice,” Davis said.

The samples are taken to the University Hospital for analysis, and test results are given back to the athletic department.

The first failed drug test results in the student taking counseling and more frequent drug testing. The second violation results in continued counseling and a two-week suspension during the athletic season. The third violation results in a one-year suspension from the athlete’s sport.

Heather Lyke, assistant athletic director in charge of compliance, makes sure the university is in consent with NCAA rules and policies.

“The students have a great liability when it comes to what they are taking,” Lyke said.

Lyke said the university would hand down penalties in the instance of an NCAA violation. The penalties are then reviewed by the NCAA to make sure they are in compliance.

Davis said the discipline handed down from the institutional policies hasn’t changed in recent years, but there are more and more unannounced drug tests than in the past.

“The NCAA is taking great leadership in health and safety for our student athletes,” Davis said.