MINUTES OF THE
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
COMMITTEE ON COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF SPORTS
Sundial Resort
Participants:
Jerry
Diehl, National Federation of
Kimberly
Harmon,
Donald
Kaverman,
Jerry
Koloskie,
Michael
Krauss,
Colleen
McCullough,
Matthew
McDougall,
Megan
McGrane,
Robin
Meiggs,
Jennifer
Palancia Shipp,
Marc
Paul,
Margot
Putukian,
Tracy
Ray,
Debra
Runkle,
Gary
Skrinar,
Michael
Storey,
Jerry
Weber,
Charlie
Wilson,
David Klossner, NCAA
Mary Wilfert, NCAA
Committee members Larry Holstad and Scott Lynch were unable to attend.
Guests:
Alan Utter and Pat Tocci, wrestling
consultants; Bob Colgate, National
Federation of State High School Associations;
[NOTE: These minutes contain only actions taken (formal votes or stated “sense of the meeting”) in accordance with NCAA policy regarding minutes of all Association entities. All votes were unanimous voice votes unless otherwise indicated. While certain items on the committee’s agenda were acted on at various times throughout the meeting all final actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]
Thrusday June 8
Drug Testing Work Group. This work group completed its review of
drug-testing policies related to marijuana and street drugs, and made the
following recommendation, supported by the full committee: to redefine the drug
class “street drugs” to include marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), heroin, opiates, cocaine and methamphetamine, and to provide a distinct
sanctioning tract for this drug class that is appropriately responsive to the
issues presented when street-drug use is identified; and to test for all banned
substances in the year-round program, including street drugs. Effective August 2008. Staff will develop a full rationale to
defend the committee’s position to make a distinction between the
appropriate NCAA response to a positive drug test for street drugs, to include
an appropriate sanction and a process to assure assessment and intervention,
and a positive drug test for performance-enhancing drugs, which will continue
to assess a strong withholding penalty and loss of eligibility.
Friday June 9
The meeting was
called to order at
1.
Opening Remarks. Dr. Krauss welcomed the returning
committee members, new committee members and guests.
2.
Committee Staffing Needs. Committee openings are posted in the
NCAA News. Staff will provide
committee members with a reminder of upcoming openings each fall in order to
facilitate nominations for those positions.
3.
Approval of Previous Minutes.
It was VOTED
“To approve the minutes of the January, 2006 committee meeting as distributed.”
4.
CSMAS
5.
NCAA Governance Actions and Issues. The committee reviewed relevant actions
from the NCAA Executive Committee, the NCAA Division I
Championships/Competition Cabinet, and the NCAA Divisions II and III Management
Councils. The committee reaffirmed
its intent to have all coaches certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
6.
NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
(SAAC) Report.
a. Division
I.
b. Division
II. Matt McDougall noted a mixed response
from Division II SAAC regarding male practice players.
c. Division
III. Colleen McCullough noted SAAC support
for the year-round drug-testing pilot in Division III.
7.
NCAA Legal Issues Report.
Elsa Cole updated the committee on legal cases involving student-athlete
health and safety.
8.
Outreach. The committee accepted the information
from members who represent the following societies: American Medical Society of
Sports Medicine (AMSSM); American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
(AOSSM); the Football Issues Committee; the National Association of Collegiate
Directors of Athletics (NACDA); the National Athletic Trainers’
Association (NATA); American College Health Association (ACHA); National
Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS); the Joint Commission on
Sports Medicine and Science; and the Female Athlete Triad Coalition. Support was voiced from the
representatives of these bodies for NCAA efforts in collaborating and
addressing psychological issues related to sport, and the CSMAS position on
tinted eye shields and spearing in football.
9.
Energy Drinks. The committee was provided information
from the Coca-Cola Company requesting that CSMAS review its position on energy
drinks as they relate to NCAA Bylaw 16.5.2.g, which restricts the provision of
nutritional supplements by NCAA institutions. The committee will take these arguments
under review, along with outside consultants review and comments, and provide
its recommendation at a later date.
10.
Research. The committee received an
update on several research projects underway: the homophobia survey has been fully
funded, and will be embedded in a broader survey of tolerance within athletics
programs; Denise DeHass presented
the final report of the 2005 Drug Education and Testing Survey; NCAA research
staff is working with Division III governance to collect additional data in
review of a recommendation to conduct year-round testing in Division III; the
nutrition survey project is now attached to a Division I survey on meal
provision during travel; and the
“Life-Work Balance” survey, which is being administered to various
membership groups to gather further data on this initiative..
[Note: The meeting recessed
at
The meeting was
called to order at
11. DEDT Subcommittee Report.
a. Year-round testing. The subcommittee identified the need to develop a testing plan that would provide broader and deeper testing coverage of all sports in the year-round program.
b. Championship testing. Testing in NCAA championships has increased from approximately 1500 to over 2000 annually, with the majority of the increase going towards testing in DIII championship events.
c. EPO testing. The subcommittee agreed to shift testing for EPO, a peptide hormone used in endurance sports training, from championship events to year-round testing during periods preceding championship events.
d. CIR testing. The subcommittee agreed to continue monitoring T/E test results through CIR testing, and to review any data from WADA, to determine a change to the lab level used to identify a T/E positive. The subcommittee recommends maintaining the current level for a positive test, greater than 6:1.
e. Baseball testing. The subcommittee reviewed data demonstrating an increase in testing of baseball players in both the championship testing program and in year-round testing. The subcommittee considered data of steroid use by pitchers. The data does not strongly indicate the need to shift baseball student-athlete drug-testing selection to include more pitchers. The subcommittee recommends maintaining random selections of baseball student-athletes.
f. Inhalers. The subcommittee considered a request to review the use of inhalers during competitive play. The committee considered whether there was the potential for a performance advantage for use of these inhalers during competition by either asthmatic or non-asthmatic student-athletes. The committee suggests that any determination on this question should be left to the student-athlete’s treating physician, but will solicit additional comment.
g. Supplement product testing. The subcommittee considered the appropriateness of the UCLA lab to conduct testing of supplement products for contaminants in the case of student-athletes involved in an NCAA positive drug test. The subcommittee directed Drug Free Sport to advise the UCLA lab to avoid such product testing in NCAA drug test cases.
h. DIII year-round drug testing. The subcommittee directed staff to identify any recommendations for year-round drug testing in DIII to be dependent on Association-wide funding. Staff was also advised of the potential for presidential influence through President Myles Brand’s newsletter to NCAA presidents, and to maintain an emphasis on the health and safety mission of drug testing.
i. Synephrine. The subcommittee recommended maintaining synephrine on the list of NCAA banned substances, and monitoring positive tests with no sanctions until additional research is available. The subcommittee agreed to entertain a proposal to fund this research.
j. Summer drug testing. The NCAA is on target to begin summer drug testing in 2005-06, and will be testing initially only in Division I. The subcommittee will revisit this plan at its next meeting.
k. “Choices in Sports”. The subcommittee recommends that Drug Free Sport assume responsibility for this Web-based encyclopedic resource. The NCAA will provide a link to the resource when it has been updated.
l. BDWC. The subcommittee recommended dropping the publication of the banned drug wallet card. In order to meet the drug-testing education needs of student athletes, the subcommittee recommends maintaining publication of the “NCAA Drug Policies” brochure, and providing a larger supply of the banned drug poster and supplements poster to the membership to display in training and locker rooms.
m. Nutritional supplements. The subcommittee recommends the adoption of a standard statement regarding the risk of a positive test by using nutritional supplements: “All nutritional/dietary supplements carry some risk of containing an NCAA banned substance because they are unregulated and may be contaminated. Failure to check out any supplement with your sports medicine staff prior to use may result in a failed appeal for a positive drug test. Student-athletes are ultimately responsible for anything they ingest.”
n. Banned drug list. The subcommittee recommends adding a new class of substances, aromatase inhibitors, to the NCAA list of banned drug classes, effective August 2007. This class includes products that may be used to mask steroid use. The committee also recommends adding the new supplement warning language to the list.
o. Medical exceptions. The subcommittee recommends that medical exception documentation be requested by Drug Free Sport when they notify the institution of the A+ result. When B confirmation is made, if documentation has been received and reviewed, a medical exception may be granted. If not, the student-athlete will be declared ineligible until such time documentation is received, reviewed and the exception granted. If the exception is not granted, the student-athlete may then request an appeal. In addition, the subcommittee notes the addition of anabolic agents to the class of drugs for which a medical exception may be granted. The subcommittee recommends that staff conduct education of athletics staff regarding the medical exception process.
p. Appeals. The subcommittee recommends that institutions confirm their desire to appeal an NCAA positive drug test within 48 hours of notification of the confirmed positive test, and to provide all appeal documents within 45 days of the request. The institution will be provided a check list to identify required materials and signatures in order to proceed with the appeal.
q. Drug-testing Consent form. The subcommittee directed staff to request a review and update the language of the drug-testing consent form.
r. Student-Athlete Statement. The subcommittee notes the need for the Student-Athlete Statement to accommodate for the gap at the start of the school year for coverage of year-round testing for some NCAA institutions. The committee recommends amending the language to “this form shall be in effect from the date this document is signed and shall remain in effect through SEPTEMBER 30 of the following year or until a subsequent consent form is executed whichever occurs earlier.”
s. Evaluation of drug-testing crews and appeals process. The subcommittee notes the very positive feedback received from the membership regarding the drug-testing crews and the service received through the appeals process.
t. Lab training. Staff will contact committee members later in the fall regarding a spring 2007 lab training.
u.
UCLA lab.
Drug Free Sport provided an update on the
v. Street-drug testing proposal. The subcommittee provided further comment on the proposal to include street drug testing in the year-round testing program. The subcommittee directed staff to begin to move this proposal through the NCAA governance process, moving towards the 2008-10 budget approval process.
12.
Sport-Specific Issues.
a. Field Hockey. The committee reviewed a case study of severe eye injury in the sport of Field Hockey and NCAA ISS data the noted 19% of all injuries in FH occur to the head with 65% of those injuries occurring from elevated balls. In an effort to ensure student-athletes seeking to wear protective eye wear in competition are not denied the use of protective eye at the site of matches, the committee will work with the field hockey community to better communicate the position of the NCAA that protective eye wear meeting the ASTM-F803 standard for field hockey is permissible to wear during competition.
b. Wrestling. The committee received a report on the latest research in wrestling weight management from Alan Utter, Appalachian State University. Pat Tocci, National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) presented their new on-line weight management program tracking system which will be open to all sports at NCAA member institutions that are already a member of the NWCA. The committee reviewed the 2005-06 weight management program and a report from the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee requesting action on changes to the program. The committee also emphasized the importance of witnessing the urine collection process and noted that institutions should follow the same procedures as NCAA witnessed drug testing to prevent tampering, manipulation, contamination, and exogenous urine samples.
c. Credentialing at NCAA Championship. The committee suggests a review of the credentialing policy and travel opportunities for participating teams at championships events. The committee believed that these policies should be communicated to the medical community in order to limit confusion about the process and maximize the health and safety of traveling student-athletes. In addition, a process for credentials medical staff will be explored.
d. Championship Host Medical Evaluations. The committee recommended surveying NCAA championships host’s medical staff post event to assess areas of possible improvement.
e. Full-90 Headgear. The committee reviewed materials submitted by Mr. Jeff Skeen, manufacturer of the Full-90 headband for athletes participating in soccer. The committee noted that only one peer-reviewed research study has shown to decrease direct impact forces to the head with the use of such headbands and in certain laboratory situations. Even though the ASTM has developed a manufacturer-approved standard for Mr. Skeen’s product, there is a lack of valid scientific evidence that the use of such products decrease the incidence of concussions or that reduced impact forces correlate to decreased incidence of concussions. The committee appreciates Mr. Skeen’s effort to educate parents, coaches and athletes about the risk of concussion in the sport of soccer. The committee also noted that headbands are already permissive in the sport of soccer however the NCAA has not approved nor endorsees the use of specific headbands in the sport of soccer. The committee will continue to educate the NCAA membership on this issue through articles in the NCAA News.
f. Research Grants. The committee reviewed the Sports Science Research Grant program and recent submitted proposals.
13.
Health and Safety Issues and Updates.
a. Contagious disease outbreaks. The committee heard a report from a Ms.
Runkle whose campus was hit by a mumps outbreak, describing the impact on team
travel and competition.
b. Unethical
Conduct. The committee noted that
with the interpretation of NCAA Bylaw 10.1 Unethical Conduct, coaches should
continue to be educated regarding the over-consumption of caffeinated
beverages.
c. Hazing.
The committee received an update on the NCAA’s involvement in hazing
education, through the National Hazing Prevention Week Resource kit, the
National Hazing Study from the University of Maine, and the Coaches and
Captains Handbook, under development.
d. Sickle
cell. The committee received an
update on research from Ed Clarke at the
e. Male
practice players. The committee continues
its’ original 2004 recommendation
that all student-athletes involved with practice squads show proof of medical
insurance, sign a drug testing consent form and pass a pre-participation
examination. The committee also
stated that institutions should provide medical care and coverage for these
students that incur athletic-related injuries sustained during a countable
practice.
f.
Drug-Education and Testing video. The committee reviewed the completed
2006 Drug-Education and Testing video, and supported focused promotion to use
this resource to various athletics administrators.
g. Transgendered student-athletes. The committee noted the current NCAA policy is to identify gender participation according to official state documents to determine the sex of the student-athlete. The committee will continue to monitor sports governing bodies’ policies on this issue.
h. Injury Surveillance System. The committee reviewed the Injury Surveillance System (ISS) initiatives and extended its continued support for the program. The committee encourages all member institutions to examine their barriers to participating in sports injury reporting and facilitate a solution to improve reporting. The committee emphasized the impact of the ISS crosses all sports and divisions providing committees invaluable data for decision making on policy and legislative initiatives.
i. Sports Medicine Handbook. The committee approved the following edits to the 2006-07 Sports Medicine Handbook: elimination of the non-transparent eye shields waiver guideline in football, edits to the Lightning Safety Guideline, edits to the Helmet Fitting and Removal Guideline, and the addition of a new guideline, “Depression: Interventions in Intercollegiate Athletics.”
14.
Topics
Identified For Upcoming NCAA News Coverage.
a. Street Drug Testing – Mike Krauss
b. Heading and protective equipment – Margot Putukian
c. Sickle Cell and Rhabdomyolysis – Priscilla Clarkson
d. Sun Safety – staff
15.
Future Meetings. The committee
approved the following dates and sites for its upcoming meetings:
a. December 14-16,
b. June
2007,
16.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned
at
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