NCAA Will Not Stop Drug Tests

The NCAA will conduct drug tests for athletes at all championship events despite a California judge’s ruling that such a practice is unconstitutional, according to an NCAA spokesman in Kansas City.

The tests will start Monday at the NCAA cross-country championships in Charlottesville, Va., the spokesman said.

Superior Court Judge Conrad Rushing ruled this week in San Jose that the drug-testing program was unconstitutional because there was no “compelling need.” Rushing did allow limited tests to continue in basketball and football because of evidence of some steroid and cocaine use in those sports.

Rushing’s ruling came after two Stanford University athletes challenged the NCAA’s program. But the NCAA spokesman said: “The judge’s decision only pertains to Stanford athletes.”