Some Schools May Not Need Drug Testing

Athletic directors at Master’s College and Cal Lutheran have no objections to the recent drug testing policy adopted by the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics. They just don’t see a need for it at their schools.

“I don’t think drugs are a problem at our school,” said John Zeller of the Master’s, an NAIA school in Newhall. “That’s not to say that nobody ever takes any drugs, but we already have a rule that students can’t take drugs of any kind for pleasure. If any of our athletes were caught taking drugs, they’d be out of school automatically.”

Bob Doering, athletic director at Cal Lutheran, another NAIA school, has a similar opinion. “I might be naive,” he said, “but I’ve never seen a drug problem around here. But whatever they want us to do, we’ll follow the rules.”

Zeller, too, intends to comply.

“We’ll go along with their ruling,” he said. “It’s a good idea and I’m in favor of it. We take a biblical view here; we shouldn’t partake of anything that will control us.”

The NAIA may not go that far but two weeks ago ruled that its schools must adopt drug education and drug-testing programs for athletes by the end of the year. The NAIA’s Executive Committee and Council of Presidents also drafted a policy requiring colleges to inform athletes of the dangers of alcohol and tobacco.

By Jan. 1, 1987, schools must state their position on drug abuse and how they plan to educate and test athletes. Educational programs and testing must be in effect by Jan. 1, 1988.

“We’ve been working on this for three years,” said Wally Schwartz, chief administrator for the NAIA. “We felt we needed to start something right now. The schools will have to come up with a program of some kind.”

Schwartz said the NAIA’s policy will be flexible, allowing each college to develop its own program for dealing with drug problems. But schools will be required to file annual reports describing results of their drug education and testing. A committee will review the results and report to the President’s Council.

Schwartz said that even though a majority of NAIA schools are affiliated with religious groups and that many of them already have rules prohibiting drugs, drug testing would back up good intentions.

“A lot of people can say, ‘We’re for mother, apple pie, and we’re against drugs.’ But we wanted something in writing,” Schwartz said.

Cal Lutheran and Nevada Reno are battling over former Canyon High linebacker Dio Shipp. Predictably, both sides are claiming victory. CLU spokesman Jim Buchheim said the school admitted Shipp on Thursday and that he would play football and baseball for the Kingsmen.

“He has indicated to us that Cal Lutheran is his first choice,” Buchheim said.

It was reported earlier that the 6-2, 210-pound athlete had signed with Nevada Reno, but Buchheim said Shipp has not signed. “He talked with them because he just wanted something to fall back on.”

Meanwhile, Canyon Coach Harry Welch said Shipp told him he was going to Reno.

Shipp’s father, Ron, said, “Truthfully, he really hasn’t made a decision yet. He’s not sure. Reno offered him a scholarship after they saw him play in an all-star game. At this point, he’s leaning toward Reno because they offered a full scholarship. Lutheran is offering a partial scholarship.”

Dio Shipp seemed as confused as anybody. “I think I’m going to Reno. I want to get out of California.” But then, he hesitated for a second and said, “Aw, I don’t know. There’s still a chance I’ll go to Lutheran.”

Either way, Shipp’s got another problem to worry about. His high school transcript is missing. “Nobody knows where it is,” he said, “so that’s kind of a problem.”

Hector Nieves, 23, has been hired as women’s track and cross-country coach at Cal Lutheran. Nieves graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and worked as an assistant at Cal Poly SLO last year. He replaced Jim Smith, who stepped down after three years at CLU.