Creation of a collegiate level drug testing policy

Abstract

The NCAA, in order to preserve fair and equal competition in intercollegiate athletics, created a drug testing program. In 1987 and again in 1988, student-athletes at two separate universities challenged the NCAA’s drug testing program in a court of law. As a result, constitutional questions pertaining to a student-athlete’s individual rights have surfaced. The purpose of the research was to create a collegiate level drug testing policy to be utilized during the regular season by NCAA Division I member institutions. A drug testing program, based upon individual reasonable suspicion, was created through the analysis of the NCAA’s 1987-988 drug testing rules and drug testing program, legal issues surrounding drug testing, litigation involving the NCAA, and NCAA Division I member institution’s drug testing programs.