Georgia’s problems reaffirm NCAA needs uniform drug policy
Bobby Bowden supports Georgia's drug policy but says it might leave the team at a competitive disadvantage.
ATHENS – It’s fair to start with this: There is no excuse for doing something wrong.
There is no excuse for stealing money from a teammate’s dorm room, just because you’re short of cash. No excuse for getting into a physical altercation with a girlfriend, just because there was an argument. No excuse for getting high, just because … well, just because. No excuse for exploring the cannabis culinary arts and eating Alice B. Toklas brownies, just because you were on spring break and you were hungry and, really, honest, pinky-swear, you didn’t even know that there was marijuana in them (uh, right.)
These are some of the reasons why Georgia coach Mark Richt has been suspending or dismissing players at an alarming rate lately – eight since January. This is when nobody seems to remember how many stars were by a recruit’s name on national signing day. Funny how that works.
Richt has a problem. But only part of it has to do with the fact that too many of his players are doing really dumb things. The other has to do with a somewhat unlevel playing field.
Georgia has a fairly strict drug-and-alcohol policy for its student-athletes, relative to most other universities, particularly those in the SEC. UGA suspends players for at least one game (10 percent of schedule) after the first positive test. A second positive test mandates a suspension of at least 30 percent of the schedule (or four games) for a non-controlled substance or 50 percent (six games) for a controlled substance or DUI. A third positive results in dismissal.
An examination of schools in BCS conferences by AOL/Fanhouse in 2010 revealed Georgia and Kentucky were the only two SEC members that suspended players following the first positive drug test. Only six of 68 programs overall do so (Baylor, Cincinnati, Miami and Virginia Tech are the others).
Every time Mark Richt looks up, another player is getting into trouble. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
As a comparison, Florida has among the most lenient policies, with no suspension until the second positive test and no dismissal until the fifth positive.
How often and when, if at all, an athlete is tested also is up to each university. The NCAA, in fact, allows every school to set its own policy.
This is a problem. There needs to be uniformity among athletic programs’ drug-testing policy, not just within conferences but across the country. Anything short of that creates a competitive disadvantage for some.
Among those supporting the idea for uniformity is former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, Richt’s coaching mentor, who was in Athens on Friday for a high school coaches clinic.
Bowden had a reputation for being soft in the area of player discipline when he coached. But he acknowledges he would have to be tougher if he coached now, saying, “I would have to do a better job of educating the young men, trying to expose them to things where they would learn some moral issues that maybe they missed in their home.”
He supports Georgia’s policy, but doesn’t seem surprised Richt is having problems.
“One reason at Georgia [that] you hear so many boys getting out of line is because they’re so dog-gone restrictive,” he said. “I know a lot of schools — I don’t want to say something I shouldn’t say – but [they] don’t have to drug test. If you don’t want your boys to be caught with drugs, don’t drug-test them. And some schools do that. If you have a strict program, the way our society is, you’re going to have kids [test positive].”
Asked if he supported a universal policy, Bowden said: “Yes. That would be fair. There’s no doubt about it. … Georgia needs to do what’s best for Georgia. And you’ve got to soothe your conscience that you’re not letting bad things happen just because you don’t think somebody’s going to find out. But there’s an advantage if you’re a school that doesn’t test.”
In retirement, Bowden is able to laugh about some things he couldn’t before, such as when Florida State players were found to be receiving free athletic gear from a local sporting-goods store. Borrowing the line from his former thorn, Steve Spurrier, Bowden cracked, “You’ve all heard of Free Shoes University, haven’t you? I had a slogan on my desk: ‘This too shall pass.’”
That is all Richt can bank on right now. And maybe hope for a quieter summer.
By Jeff Schultz
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280 comments Add your comment
bitter troll
March 30th, 2012
8:08 pm
hashbrowns exposed to croch—-or—-brownies tanted with mary-jane
———————-or trailers and red-necks——-and saban and lots of lies
——————–you chose
childrojc
March 30th, 2012
8:08 pm
@LWK your brother had more problems than weed. he is a full on crack head and lazy
Georgia should quit trying to set the bar on student athlete behavior off the field. let these guys be 18 -22 year olds that go to class chase tail,and let loose a little. It’s not like we have Lawrence Phillips, Maurice Clarett, or Marcus Vick on the team. Pretty soon all of our recruits are going to University of Southern California so they can smoke medical marijuana , get laid and win a National Championship for Lane Kiffin.
bitter troll
March 30th, 2012
8:13 pm
I got banned while in school in athens in 1983. the female dorms voted for my removal
and that any man who could inflick a gapper the size of the grand canyon should be banned for life
———————did i cry——no———————get over being suspended, move on—-hahahahah
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:14 pm
ALL FANS are not idiots. Some Ga fans are childish when they attack any other schools entire fan-base. Having read MANY of these blogs, I enjoy different opinions IF they are TRUE. Some morons just want to bash us and I know who they are and I take them with a grain of salt. Ga.fans who hate anything not UGA, are just as wrong. It’s what’s wrong with the younger generation today. No RESPECT FOR OTHERS FEELINGS OR OPINIONS. Hateing shows a lack of understanding and patience. Not all people deserve respect. I’ve met more morons on AJCs blogs than I can count,both sides. I’ve also met people whom I don’t agree with who are now my friends. We need RESPECT in this world to not destroy ourselves as human beings. A little respect would also cure our football team and help them learn what it means to be a TEAM…
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2012
8:17 pm
kingdaddy sorry too many Jacks & Ice. It is not the GT V UGa baseball game it is Tech v Duke. My bad. I need to keep cooking. LOL
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2012
8:19 pm
Cdpridg
March 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
UGA is one of the few schools left with any integrity.
LMMFAO……………Integrity?………..STOP having better than70% of your football team be SPECIAL ADMITS and then you can talk.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2012
8:21 pm
Cdpridg
March 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
UGA is one of the few schools left with any integrity.
INTEGRITY?…………Then be like Bobby Dodd and leave that Win At All Cost Conference and get back to a STUDENT athlete.
Dawglasville
March 30th, 2012
8:22 pm
C’mon man! – I would like to take your argument about what is wrong with this country in another direction. Some are going to hold Saban in such high regard because of the trophies. He is a winner. That is the American way. I can’t do that. Not as long as he gray shirts. He is putting his career before the needs of those kids. That is one example of why I think your coach, your University, and your fan base has a plantation mentality. I think it is funny that you some of you Bama guys call Richt “da preacher man” when you guys think that Saban the Second Coming and he has no faults. Let him go 8-4 and then let’s see how great of a man he is. Oh, and by the way I would have no problem telling Coach Saban or his players that I believe that the University of Alabama was run like a plantation if I knew any of those gentlemen. My comments were directed more to those who want to worship him on Saturday.
Big Crimson 75 – Unlike you, I guess I am surprised at your age, assuming you graduated from Alabama in 75. I am surprised that a man of your age is on the blogs every day bashing everything that is the University of Georgia and pounding your chest about how great Bama is. That would make you a 53 year old troll. Really sir, how is that possible? Don’t discuss race relations with me. The first time you threw out the term “THUGA,” you pretty much disqualified yourself as an expert on the subject. Why don’t you Bama guys say something constructive and act like you have been there before. You need to look at your W.W.N.S.D? bracelet and ask yourself if He would like all of this taunting?
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:23 pm
Don’t hate me cause I’m purtty…
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
8:24 pm
king — the ship is sinking bro!!
the Apocalypse is upon UGA.
Come on over to the good side King!!
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
BC75
You’re older than dirt. I thought you were @37ish
Dawglasville
March 30th, 2012
8:29 pm
kingdaddy – And in the spirit of your request I would like to point out that I have no problems with Bama or any other grads or fans of other schools. I don’t like trolls. I don’t care if they wear crimson, gold, orange or even red and black. If you sole purpose of being on any site is to annoy people then you should grow up.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
March 30th, 2012
8:31 pm
Big Crimson
The ship has sunk at UGA and Im a fan
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
Dawglasville — I’m not 53. I’m not on these blogs every day. I’ve never used the word “Thuga” in my life. I don’t have a W.W.N.S.D. bracelet.
I’m proud to be a Bama grad & a Bama fan, if that makes me “pounding my chest” — that’s your opinion.
I assure you several UGA fans on here will vouch that I rarely dis-respect UGA, unless it’s more than deserved — such as the events that occurred within the last 48 hrs.
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:33 pm
Luke…I am your father… Come to the dark-side..
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
Dawglasville
You’re on the side of enlightenment. BC75 is AOK and not that old, but I’m close…
kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
8:42 pm
Guys, gotta go to the Dew-Drop and do my thing. Our kids will never learn respect without us showing them the way. Drink-on…
Joe
March 30th, 2012
8:44 pm
Someone needs to be the strictest. Equal and the same regulations brings into the solution of no ifs buts or ands. Some would get away with some more harsh incident than others based on how it effects the culture of the community or school. Equality in this sense is not equality. Having uniformity everywhere consititutes people in positions to regulate and administer punishment to the organization without fail. Communistic kind of idea with the all the same idea.
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
8:45 pm
king — the Offense is gonna have to step it up!!
It’s on Murray – Crow – King & the boys now.
The Secondary is gonna need some Coaching.
Thing is — I know UGA fans hate hearing it from other schools but, there are issues @ UGA. As much as Richt is a nice guy & a good Coach — this kind of trouble is on his door-step.
Something is amiss somewhere — You got upper-classmen like Rambo, whose actions are completely un-acceptable. Y’all have/had a shot @ possibly something BIG this yr!!
Gene
March 30th, 2012
8:46 pm
Adams put in the strict drug testing, just like everything else at UGA in the last 15 years. This was probably when he was campaigning for the NCAA job and wanted to appear tough on crime. Schools need drug testing to spot meth and cocaine and more dangerous substances. These things are on campus tool. If you allow marijuana, then you allow dope dealers who steal players wallets.. The story of the girl having a joint in her purse is in the same category as the brownies on the counter and the red panties mystery. If it was in her purse, how did the cops find it? Did they search passengers? Was the car filled with smoke? The marijuana issue aside, what about the thefts and violence against women? Richt is the conference master at covering up illegal behavior, and that is exactly why it continues.
Cdpridg
March 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
5150….baited again…..lmfao!!!
Common Sense
March 30th, 2012
8:49 pm
From fanhouse:
At Florida, Illinois and Purdue, student-athletes at those respective schools may have up to five positive drug tests before being dismissed. Those are easily the nation’s most lenient policies, at least as far as allowing a student-athlete the most chances.
Dawglasville
March 30th, 2012
8:55 pm
Big Crimson 75 – you got me on a technicality. You did not say THUGA on your 4:13 post. You wrote, “Nothing is gonna help UGA’s much deserved Thug Image.” Now – you think that tag THUG fits the University of Georgia Football program. Underage drinking, pot, stealing a bicycle helmet? I smoked pot my sophomore year at UGA. I stole a hoola hope from Hooters probably that same year. I drank underage in high school. So, did that make me a thug? If that did then unfortunately a lot of college kids are thugs. Those same thugs go to Alabama, MIT, Clayton State, Georgetown. You name the school, those kids are there too.
Richt is not only testing them when he knows they are most likely to fail, he is following through with the punishment. He gives them the freedom to screw up and punishes them when they do. He teaches them a lesson. Maybe Rambo and Tree are not coachable in life. I don’t think Coach Richt will put up with it much longer. If you like your guy, fine. Most UGA fans like our guy. No need to come on the blogs and say “puppy” this or “puppy” that. That is demeaning from jump street. All I would ask is not to be a troll.
Dawglasville
March 30th, 2012
9:05 pm
BC 75 – off to bed. Much love. Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Maybe I woke up to the reality that we will face Missouri with out 33% of our starting defense. Can’t go away with anger in my heart. Have a good night and I’m sure we will do this again on Monday. Hopefully with better results. Peace.
AJC Jockey
March 30th, 2012
9:15 pm
I’ve never seen an American news/sports outlet jockey a University like the AJC. Rather than place blame at Richt and UGA they would rather enable and make excuses for the numerous arrests. The problems at UGA have nothing to do with UF, GT, Bama or any other school. How about being a little honest and objective in your reporting?
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
9:17 pm
Dawglisville — No Worries bro. It’s College Football!!
Back & fro is whats it’s all about.
It’s what makes Southern Football — Southern Football.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Common Sense
March 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
Florida’s Erving Walker has been charged with stealing a taco!! Those lenient pot rules lead to other things!!
Tdawg
March 30th, 2012
9:23 pm
Who ever think’s that UGA is the only school with pot heads are complete idiots. You can tell the schools who have no drug testing. It’s simple. All you have to do is ask yourself, what school never has any of their player’s busted for drugs. I can think of at least 2 schools just west of Georgia who has never had any kid’s fail a drug test. Well I know of at least 5 schools that their fans would have to shut up if there was a uniform drug policy in the SEC.
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Tdawg — examples please…..which schools just west of UGA have never suspended a player for drug use?
Gorilla Biscuit
March 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
Take a drug dog into any dorm in the U.S. and he would flip his lid. Except maybe Liberty U. On the other hand I went to school with some preacher’s kids and they were wilder than anybody.
FLA DAWG
March 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
Here’s a novel idea………….try enforcing the same law that applies to the general public regarding illegal drugs…………just a thought.
Another freaking wasted year under Richt and Bobo.
UGA Alumni……..are you complacent with this krap!?
Do something, write something, withold your donations, stop buying tickets and dopey Dawg Toys.
Come on – do something for your school. Don’t just drift along with what’s going on.
We affected a change in Defensive OC a couple of years ago and the result was Grantham who has turned the D around to a slathering bunch of rabid dogs waiting for anything to cross their path.
We can do the same with the Offense but it requires the removal of Bobo and (due to McGarity and Adams) much later (I regret) Richt himself.
All you need do is act now.
FLA DAWG,
Class of ‘79
GT fan
March 30th, 2012
9:44 pm
Richt and the university choose to be strict with drugs, so what? They are doing the right thing. They are trying to teach their athletes a thing or 2 about the real world. Can’t do illegal drugs while in the work force or else. Richt is a nice guy that always tries to do the right thing even if its not the most popular decision. Mad props to Richt. All the other schools only care about football and nothing else. There are more important things in life.
kral
March 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
gene you need to be put in charge of the CMR cover-up…because what you say they’re doing seems to be working as well as NIXON AND WATERGATE
The Bear
March 30th, 2012
10:20 pm
Yea that’s a great idea let’s make more rules for the NCAA to legislate. In the past if there was a suspicion of drug use the players in question would be tested. Not in this day and age, everything has to be equal. Love how some folks on here are still in denial about the trend at UGA and want to deflect it by saying this school and that school do it why don’t they get in trouble? The main reason why you don’t hear about other schools is simple they keep it in house the way it should be. If you are going to drug test student athlete’s then why not drug test the whole student body for that matter.
Roll Tide
A Father
March 30th, 2012
10:21 pm
Rambo should have 6 game suspension per the policy that GA follows. Cannot change policy regardless of tears or begging.
Rambo, go in supplemental draft and spare GA us all your winey tears .
Serve 6 games then play or go pro, no one really cares.
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
Father — Rambo should have stayed in Cambodia for another sequel!!
He’s never playing @ UGA again.
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
Guys. the truth has to be realized that it is 2012 and pot is a blessing, and one of the most harmless and beautiful drugs in the world. I can’t even believe penalty and pot are mentioned in the same sentence. This is Georgia, and especially in Atlanta and most of South Georgia, the majority of kids 15-25 smoke pot, I would say 75 percent, all races-white, black, asian, latino, everyone. The list of potheads at UGA could fill a phone book…
Odell Thurman
Justin Houston
Carlton Thomas
Isiah Crowell
Ken Malcolme
Branden Smith
Bacarri Rambo
Alec Ogletree
and those are just the guys I know have gotten caught. Im sure at least 40 percent of the team smokes. I mean I still dont (and will never) understand what the big deal is. This is brutal to watch these good kids get crucified for smoking a harmless, mellow herb in the privacy of their apartments. And to those who say it is illegal. You won’t be able to say that in 5 years, as 13 states have already legalized medical marijuana, and California is likely to legalize fully in 2012. Narrowly missed last vote at 48 percent approval. When it becomes legal, is UGA still going to be suspending guys for a third of the season for lighting a legal joint? Probably, sadly….
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:34 pm
How many drug suspensions by Nick Saban at Alabama last year….ZERO!
Is that because there are 0 pot smokers on Alabama’s football team, or Nick Saban is not a maniacal, ruthless jerk of a human being like Mark Richt, and realizes these are young men in the prime of their lives enjoying being young? Yes, Mark Richt is a despicable human being for suspending 2 future NFL 1st rounders for enjoying one of God’s sacred herbs….tragic.
Big Crimson 75
March 30th, 2012
10:34 pm
Keith — I hear ya towlie —- You forgot the great Quincy Carter & who was the white-boy WR playing with Q?……oh wait, They were trafficking Blow!! Wrong Drug!!!
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:35 pm
The sad hipocracy of this is that Mark Richt professes to be Christian, yet doesn’t seem to understand that Jesus put the Cannibus plant here on Earth, used in sacredly in ceremonies, and even had Cannibus oil rubbed on his grave. Sad…
Paul in NH
March 30th, 2012
10:37 pm
Josh
March 30th, 2012
7:30 pm
Ok of the BCS schools only 57% test for banned substances. Of those less than 1% have strict punishmennts
—–
I just love it when people make up statistics to try to support their point. There are 120 BCS schools. 57% of 120 is 68. Less than 1% of 68 is less than ONE school.
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:39 pm
The number of Alabama football players suspended for drugs in 2011…Zero.
That is because Nick Saban is a decent human being who understands it is crucial not to punish young men for their choice to ingest one of God’s sacred herbs, put on the planet as a blessing. Mark Richt, the despicable human being he is, would rather suspend 2 good-hearted, NFL prospects and ruin their lives over a joint or two on spring break. Breaks my heart, and I want Richt fired immediately for this tragedy!!! Why is there not more outrage at Richt and UGA for this?
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT FOR RUINING THESE YOUNG MEN”S LIVES OVER A PLANT!!!!!!!!
WEED WILL BE FULLY LEGALIZED IN CALIFORNIA BY THE END OF THE YEAR!!!
Gibson Dawg
March 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
I bet we will be 4-0 when the Big Dawgs come back. Bet we beat the snot out of everbody else. Including SEC west and WIN the National Championship, (smoking dope or not).
Keith T.
March 30th, 2012
10:42 pm
The number of Alabama football players suspended for drugs in 2011…Zero.
Insanity…That is because Nick Saban is a decent human being who understands it is crucial not to punish young men for their choice to ingest one of God’s sacred herbs, put on the planet as a blessing. Mark Richt, the despicable human being he is, would rather suspend 2 good-hearted, NFL prospects and ruin their lives over a joint or two on spring break. Breaks my heart, and I want Richt fired immediately for this tragedy!!! Why is there not more outrage at Richt and UGA for this?
Beast from the East
March 30th, 2012
10:50 pm
Ginson Dawg,
I’ll take that bet for $5,000. Where’s your money?
Cdpridg
March 30th, 2012
11:28 pm
They say thousands of Alabammers flooded across the state line today to buy lotto tix….what would the Bammers do without the great state of Ga
Dawg Whisperer
March 30th, 2012
11:49 pm
Yeah rightttt… Biggy Crimson, you’re rarely disrespectful of UGA. Your comments alone today contradict that remark. Do you bother to read your own comments? I wouldn’t either since there is nothing of substance there.
Big Crimson 75
March 31st, 2012
12:08 am
Whisper — I disagree about the respect.
Y’all have deserved the Heat for the last 48 hrs.
Illegal Cannibus
March 31st, 2012
12:21 am
Last time I checked marijuana was an illegal drug. All players on all teams know this. Morons on this blog want equivicate beer to marijuana. If they are the same then the alcohol would be all these players need. These players don’t have jobs or other responsibilities that every day people have. They go to class and hang out in the spring/summer. No practices to keep them busy daily. Yeah there’s some spring practicing. I just wonder which player at UGA is next to screw up ?