Athletic Department Compliance
University of Nebraska
INSTITUTIONAL DRUG SCREENING PROGRAM AND POLICIES:
NCAA BYLAWS 10.2, 18.4.1.5 & 31.2.3
The University of Nebraska believes that a comprehensive Drug Screening Program for
our athletes is necessary to maintain a wholesome atmosphere in which to compete.
We also recognize that alcohol abuse is a threat to the well being of our athletes and will
seek to control such abuse primarily through education. It is the express purpose of the
program to provide assistance to the athlete in solving any drug problems consistent
with NCAA and Big XII Conference rules.
I.
PURPOSE
A.
Education
Educational guidance will be provided for the student-athletes to
ensure their awareness of the physical, mental and legal
consequences of illegal drug use and the abuse of alcohol. They
will be given an opportunity to hear at least one guest lecturer each
year and will be strongly encouraged to attend one of two drug
awareness classes or both. If drug or alcohol abuse is evident, an
athlete may be required to take a drug abuse course.
B.
Prevention
Drug testing procedures have been developed with the intent of
preventing any student athlete from drug experimentation and
possible drug abuse and dependency.
C.
Rehabilitation
To rehabilitate those people who may have a possible drug or
alcohol problem through counseling programs and a peer
interaction group as well as in-patient or out-patient clinical
rehabilitation programs.
D.
Positive Athletics Image
Inasmuch as athletes are role models, it is hoped that an effective
alcohol and drug abuse program will generally enhance the image
of intercollegiate athletics.
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II.
WHO WILL BE DRUG TESTED AND BY WHAT METHODS?
A.
All student-athletes in the University of Nebraska athletics programs
will be tested.
B.
The methods of testing will be a urinalysis test. Any and all positive drug
results will be confirmed by additional supplemental methods. Qualified
laboratory personnel will perform all analyses.
III.
DRUGS TO BE TESTED FOR INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
A.
IV.
V.
Drug Names
1.
Alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine,
opiates, propoxphene, methaqualone, phencyclidine, and
cannabinoids (marijuana)
2.
Anabolic steroids – on a selective basis
3.
A complete listing of NCAA Banned Substances are included in
the Student-Athlete Handbook
CONFIDENTIALITY
A.
The collection and coding of specimen samples will be executed in
a manner to ensure total confidentiality and to avoid misidentification.
B.
The analysis results will be returned to the Team Doctor and the Head
Trainer.
C.
Test results will be known by the student-athlete, the Team Doctor, the
Athletics Director, the Head Athletics Trainer, and the Head Coach of the
athlete’s sport. Other appropriate people will be notified only if it is
deemed necessary by the Head Coach and the Team Physician (i.e.
position coach, university official, law enforcement officials, etc.).
HOW OFTEN WILL THE TESTING BE DONE AND WILL THEY BE
ANNOUNCNED OR UNANNOUNCED?
A.
Each student-athlete is subject to be tested a minimum of two (2)
times within the school year. The first test will be given at the time
of the athlete’s physical exam for that sport year. Notice will be
given prior to this first test. Each subsequent test will be
unannounced and can occur during fall, spring, or summer terms.
Each school year is a new year and each new year starts over at
the beginning of the fall semester of each year.
B.
Any student-athlete refusing to be tested will be considered positive
and must face consequences.
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VI. ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE WHO TEST POSITIVE
All student-athletes who test positive will be subject, but not limited, to the
following disciplinary actions once a hearing has been conducted. These actions
are required throughout the Athletics Department and are not intended to replace
or affect the normal disciplinary measures of the coach in their respective sports.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, First Offense
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Notification of family
Subject to more frequent testing
Probation
Peer group counseling required on a regular basis
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, Second Offense (same year)
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Suspension
Extensive drug evaluation and rehabilitation required before
rejoining team
Enrollment in a 30-day drug rehabilitation program if warranted
Permanent suspension if situation warrants
Frequent testing if allowed to rejoin team
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, Second Offense (different year)
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One game or one week suspension
Frequent testing
Extensive drug evaluation and rehabilitation required before
rejoining team
30-day rehabilitation required if warranted
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, Third Offense

Permanent suspension
Above includes alcohol abuse, steroids and “street” drugs.
VII. Conviction for possession of illegal drugs and/or conviction of
crimes while under the influence of alcohol will result in suspension or
other appropriate disciplinary measures.
VIII. Selling drugs generally will be grounds for immediate and permanent
suspension.
Every effort will be made to keep drug policy violations in confidence.
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BIG XII CONFERENCE DRUG TESTING POLICY
A student-athlete who tests positive for the use of banned substance, other than
a “street drug”, shall be declared ineligible to represent a Big XII institution in
intercollegiate competition during the time period ending one calendar year after the
positive drug test, and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of
competition in all sports if the season of competition has not yet begun for that studentathlete or a minimum of the equivalent of one season of competition in all sports if the
student-athlete tests positive during his or her season of competition.
If the student-athlete tests positive for the use of a “street drug”, the institution
shall be notified and the student-athlete shall be treated in accordance with institutional
drug testing policies.
Team eligibility sanctions may be imposed in the event that the institution, after
having been notified of a positive test, knowingly allows the student-athlete to compete.
NCAA DRUG TESTING POLICY
NCAA Bylaw 18.4.1.5. dictates that a student-athlete who tests positive (in
accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Executive Committee) shall be
charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition in all sports if the
season of competition has not yet begun for the student-athlete or a minimum of the
equivalent of one full season of competition in all sports if the student-athlete tests
positive during his or her season of competition. The student-athlete shall remain
ineligible for all regular season and postseason competition during the time period
ending one calendar year (365 days) after the student-athlete’s positive drug test, and
until the student-athlete retests negative and the student-athlete’s eligibility is restored
by the Eligibility Committee.
If the student-athlete tests positive a second time for the use of any drug, other
than a “street drug”, as defined in 31.2.3.1, he or she will lose all remaining regular
season and postseason eligibility in all sports. If the student-athlete test positive for the
use of a “street drug” after being restored to eligibility, he or she shall be charged with
the loss of a minimum of one additional season of competition in all sports and also shall
remain ineligible for regular-season and postseason competition at least through the
next calendar year. In addition, the penalty for missing a scheduled drug test is the
same as the penalty for testing positive for the use of a banned drug.
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