How Mario Manningham failed drug tests, yet played for U-M
BY MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • April 10, 2008
When wide receiver Mario Manningham's failed drug tests at Michigan became public Tuesday, the issue brought up a variety of questions.
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When are college football players tested for drugs?
What are the testing procedures and punishments?
And how can someone with two failed drug tests continue to play at Michigan?
The answers to all of those questions depend on who you're asking, and who does the testing.
The NCAA enacted its drug-testing policy in 2005. It tests on multiple occasions, in random on-campus visits year-round and at bowls.
The tests can occur at any point during the bowl season -- but rarely are done after the game.
Yet the NCAA tests for different substances during the regular season than during bowl season.
In the random, on-campus tests, only performance-enhancing drugs are on the test list, not "street drugs," which is how the NCAA classifies heroin and marijuana.
At bowls, though, the NCAA tests for a full range of drugs, from performance-enhancing ones (such as steroids) to recreational drugs.
An athlete who fails a drug test administered by the NCAA for any substance on the banned list draws a yearlong suspension for the first offense, and the second offense brings the elimination of all eligibility.
So how did Manningham, who told NFL executives in a letter that he failed two tests for marijuana while at Michigan, according to Pro Football Weekly, continue to play for the Wolverines?
Tests administered by an individual school -- not the NCAA -- are subject only to the punishments in place by that school under its guidelines. And the Big Ten Conference, which enacted its drug-testing policy at the start of the 2007 season, tests only for performance-enhancing drugs -- not marijuana.
"Some people do mirror what we do, and some have a variety (of punishments), from warnings and education to periods out of competition," said Mary Wilfert, NCAA associate director of health and safety. "They can do that and not report to us if it's their administered drug test."
A Michigan athletic department spokesman declined to discuss Manningham's specific circumstances, citing the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The school enacted its drug-testing policy in 2004. The policy states that "all varsity student-athletes will be subject to random, year-round drug testing," and also points out that the NCAA program and Michigan's are not related.
The U-M program focuses mostly on what the school calls "drugs of abuse," which include amphetamines, cocaine and marijuana. Performance-enhancing drugs are not the primary focus, but may be included as part of the testing.
Any athlete failing to appear for a test or refusing to provide a urine sample is immediately suspended.
As for punishment, a Michigan athlete who fails a first test will be referred for counseling and attend an assessment with the athletic department doctor. If the athlete does not participate in the counseling, "additional disciplinary action will be taken by the athletic director and/or head coach and may include, but not be limited to, suspension from practice/games," according to the policy.
A second positive test -- at least 90 days later -- results in suspension from competition for 10% of the maximum allowable contests in the traditional season and must be served immediately. The coach may enhance the penalty.
A third positive test -- again, at least 90 days later -- results in a yearlong suspension. It can be appealed if the athlete shows successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program.
Manningham was suspended for only one game in his three seasons at Michigan. He missed last year's home game against Eastern Michigan for what the school called a violation of team rules. Manningham said in his letter to NFL executives that his coach, Lloyd Carr, suspended him because "I was lacking in focus," according to Pro Football Weekly.
The report did not indicate when Manningham -- who is from Warren, Ohio, and who declared for the NFL draft in January -- failed his two drug tests.
Michigan State's policy, revised in 2006, is more specific, well-defined and has more immediate penalties.
The first positive test for "performance-enhancing drugs" results in a 30-day suspension or until the athlete is determined to be "drug-free" by a team physician. The second positive results in a yearlong suspension. The third permanently bans the athlete from the athletic program.
The first positive test for "socially used drugs" results in counseling and, depending on the nature of the drug and nature of use, the athlete could be suspended for "a specified period of time." A second positive brings a minimum 30-day suspension. A third positive means a yearlong suspension.
The MSU policy also encompasses tobacco, alcohol and nutritional supplement use, with less stringent penalties.
Contact MARK SNYDER at 313-223-3210 or
[email protected].
