Jul 31 2010
UIL Reports No Steroid Positives in Texas High Schools
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) reported recently that there is no student athlete tested positive for steroids. The tests were conducted from January to May 2010 at 207 schools in Texas. Proponents of the steroid testing program in the state have proven their argument that testing student athletes for anabolic steroids is still the best deterrent. For the first time, the 3,308 students checked by the UIL were all clean of any banned substances.
Although the state reduced its budget for the current year to $1 million due to financial woes, the UIL was able to cover all high schools under the program. The number of tests may be lower as compared to previous years but the results are still significant to the proponents. Even if there are critics who are not in favor of putting huge budget for steroid testing, the number of steroid positives declines and this year’s result is a sign that the program is successful.
Since 2008, the UIL was able to conduct 50,000 tests. However, only 20 student athletes were found and confirmed to be using anabolic steroids. According to UIL officials, random testing for steroids will continue in the upcoming school year. The continuous reduction of the budget however, will also reduce the number of students to be tested. The $1 million allotted by the Texas Education Agency last year will be lowered to $750,000.
A detailed breakdown of the UIL report for the Spring 2010 Anabolic Steroid Testing is as follows. This was published by www.kristv.com.
Total Number of Tests: 3,308
2,092 boys were tested representing 11 sports
1,216 girls were tested representing 10 sports
207 schools were tested
Breakdown of Tests Conducted by Grade and Gender:
9th grade - Females: 375, Males: 609
10th grade - Females: 374, Males: 562
11th grade - Females: 313, Males: 551
12th grade - Females: 154, Males: 370
Breakdown of Tests Conducted by Sport:
A multisport athlete will be represented more than once in this list. Therefore, the individual sport numbers will differ from the total number of athletes tested.
Male Baseball: 148
Male Basketball: 176
Male Cross Country: 41
Male Football: 590
Male Golf: 40
Male Soccer: 209
Male Swimming: 29
Male Tennis: 77
Male Track & Field: 59
Male Wrestling: 56
Male Multi-sport: 682
Total Male: 2,107
Female Basketball: 105
Female Cross County: 20
Female Golf: 29
Female Soccer: 166
Female Softball: 143
Female Swimming: 40
Female Tennis: 87
Female Track & Field: 81
Female Volleyball: 123
Female Multi-sport: 405
Total Females: 1,199
Results:
Total Number of Positives: 0
Total Number of Unresolved: 0*
*An Unresolved Case means it would be reported from the laboratory with Testosterone: Epitestosterone (T:E) ratios greater than 6:1. This would require further investigation, collection and/or laboratory analysis before a final resolution can be reached.
Total Number of Protocol Positives: 0
A protocol positive results when a student-athlete violates UIL steroid-testing protocol.
[...] UIL Reports No Steroid Positives in Texas High Schools [...]
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