Coaches & players glad to see steroid testing, By: Randy Kindred

01/05/07

 
BLOOMINGTON -- Illinois High School Association’s proposal to ban steroids and start testing players in finals in some sports was welcome news to some area players and coaches.

The ban and testing would send a deterrent message, they said, acknowledging some athletes will use performance-enhancing substances no matter what the IHSA and local school districts do.

Prairie Central High School football coach Brian Hassett called the ban “awesome,” adding he supports random testing at state finals.

“There may be some (athletic) programs overlooking it,” Hassett said of steroid and supplement use. “You know some kids are taking Creatine and other supplements. It’s a matter of ‘What are they going to test for?’”

Prairie Central has conducted random testing for extracurricular activities for a year and a half.

Senior football player and wrestler Brent Mowery was tested twice last year, but his number has not been drawn this year.

“I don’t think around here too many people use them. You really can’t tell,” said Mowery, an offensive lineman and linebacker on the Hawks’ Class 4A semifinal football team. “Steroids are in all kinds of pro sports, so I’m sure some high school people are taking them.”

Mowery said he is optimistic the ban and possible testing will discourage players from experimenting.

“Nobody really wants to get caught,” he said. “They’ll probably try and stay away from it.”

Bloomington athletic director and track coach John Szabo hopes that’s the case. But while Szabo said the IHSA’s move “will definitely deter some kids,” he added, “There will obviously be some kids who will do it no matter what and take their chances.”

“It will depend on how much testing they are able to do,” Szabo said. “But even if it just helps some, it’s worth it. If we can get a couple of kids off of them, every little bit will be a benefit.”

BHS football coach Rigo Schmelzer considers the ban positive reinforcement for the message he and others “preach and teach” to their players.

“I think anything which highlights not only the inappropriateness of it, but also the health factors involved with it, is a good thing,” Schmelzer said. “It’s tough at times when kids get mixed messages, especially from professional sports. Things like this can assist and help.

“At our level, where kids are developing, using any kind of supplement is not healthy for them. It is never the right way to go.”

Schmelzer said coaches can play an important role in detecting steroid use by watching for the physical signs, such as rapid strength gains, mood swings and acne. Beyond that, coaches have to make sure they are sending healthy messages to their players.

“We all push the idea of wins versus losses and playing at the next level,” he said. “Sometimes we have to be careful about how hard we push kids to be successful. You want to point out the realities of good health and sportsmanship over the rewards of being successful.”