Sept. 11, 2008

Philadelphia, PA – La Salle student-athletes gathered in the Dan Rodden Theatre on Thursday, September 11, to learn about drug testing and banned substances for all NCAA Division-I collegiate athletic programs.

Frank Uryasz, the President of the National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc., addressed the filled auditorium of athletes, coaches and staff about drug-use prevention and all of the different varieties of substances which could be classified in this category. Some of the items that Uryasz emphasized on were drugs and alcohol, dietary supplements, anabolic steroids and energy drinks.

In the presentation, Uryasz, the former Director of Sport Sciences for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), pinpointed on some positive ways to develop and improve athletic performance. Two key elements that Uryasz touched on were good hydration and smart nutrition. In addition to avoiding supplements, one must get enough sleep and practice on a regular basis.

Coaches play a factor in this drug-free process by acting as a positive and encouraging role model for his or her student-athletes.

There are three primary reasons for testing student-athletes, as explained by Uryasz. Testing provides equal competition among athletes in all respective sports, it maintains the integrity of collegiate sports and, most of all, testing protects the health of every student-athlete.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc., was founded in 1999. Its goal is to help create a drug-free environment for athletic organizations. The staff comprises of over 50 years of experience and knowledge in sports drug testing.