Imposing a 1-year suspension for the Waterloo Warriors football team is too much according to some critics. Punishing athletes who were tested clean of any performance enhancing drugs is considered as an unfair decision. But with the latest development on the Waterloo steroid scandal, the university may be right on its decision to halt its football program and make some re-evaluation or assessment on the current issues and problems. An internal investigation was already initiated by the university to determine the root cause of the problem and even asked the former regional police chief to help in the investigation.

In the report of the spec.com, police authorities arrested and filed several charges on Waterloo Warriors linebacker Brandon Krukowski. The 6 foot, 220 lb., 3rd year linebacker was charged with possession and trafficking of drugs particularly anabolic steroids. Michael Strickland, the university spokesperson, confirmed that Krukowski was part of the roster in the last season but declined to give more comment because of on-going investigation. Krukowski is a sociology student in the university and played for the Warriors since 2007.

The Waterloo Regional Police continued their investigation after the arrest of Nathan Zettler and two other football players. Although the case was originally focused on property crime, the raid on Zettler’s residence revealed several anabolic steroids and growth hormone. The different types of anabolic steroids found by the authorities include nandrolone, trenbolone, stanozolol and testosterone. They also found several tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug which is sometimes used during steroids cycle to help reduce water retention. This is also the drug found on the system of linebacker Jordan Meredith who was already suspended for 2 years by CCES.

The effort of the Waterloo police to dig deeper in the possible bigger network of illegal distribution of steroids in universities is rewarded with the arrest of Krukowski. Olaf Heinzel, police spokesperson said that they have been collecting evidences through the course of the investigation which resulted to the charges filed against the linebacker. “We obviously take investigations of illegal drugs very seriously,” said Heinzel.

Former assistant football coach Carl Zender was shocked by the report. “I’m shocked and sad. I feel bad for everybody,” said Zender who quitted in protest of the suspension of the entire football team. Zender is in favor of implementing tough sanctions on players involved in the use of steroids but believes that it is unfair to penalize clean players. “The university didn’t make the wrong call when dealing with kids who use steroids. They need to be firm. They need to be tough,” he said. His son was one of the football players affected by the decision of the university who already affirmed not to reverse its decision.

Other football players who initially protested are now left with no other option but to look for other schools that can accommodate them. Head Coach Dennis McPhee sympathizes with his players but supports the decision of the university. Coach McPhee and assistant coach Marshall Bingeman were put on paid leaves.

The names of the remaining football players who failed the steroid test are expected to be released soon. Only the names of linebacker Joe Surgenor and Jordan Meridith were made public because they already signed a waiver. Both were slapped with 2 years suspension by the CCES.

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