High school steroid testing in no rush to start, By: ELISE HU

August 6, 2007

Fall sports seasons will start as a plan for random steroid testing is still being worked out, according to the University Interscholastic League, the group in charge of implementing the new testing.

UIL says it's in no hurry. After all, the Legislature mandated random steroid testing during the spring session, but only requires it to begin sometime "during the 07-08" school year.

"We're not in a rush to be ready for the first game," said UIL Director of Athletics Charles Breithaupt.

High school football practice began Monday for Texas high schools who don't hold spring practices.

At Anderson High School, players say they know the testing is coming, and that it's a good deterrent.

"I think it will be good because it will just weed out all the players that are cheating and stuff," said running back Patrick Kurunwune.

UIL has yet to select the company that will perform the testing, but that a company should be chosen before the end of the month.

"We'll test whenever our testing company tells us to move forward," Breithaupt said. "We want to do unannounced tests. So we're not interested for young people to know exactly when it starts, they should be ready anytime."