Football report finds coaches blameless

Officials have released the report of a review into the Warrior football program in relation to the use of “banned substances” (performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids).

The review was done by Larry Gravill, former chief of the Waterloo Region Police Service, and Mary Thompson, former dean of mathematics and a retired professor of statistics. They submitted their report to Feridun Hamdullahpur, provost and vice-president (academic), and Bud Walker, associate provost (student services).

“This report helps us understand the context for the events of this past spring and gives us information we will need as we build a first-class football program, with a substance abuse education program that will be a leader in Canada and North America,” said Hamdullahpur in a statement when the report was posted on his web site at 1:00 yesterday.

He expressed full support for the coaches and the athletic department staff, who he said acted with “great professionalism” as the review was conducted. He noted that the review found no fault in their conduct, and announced that they have been reinstated to their coaching duties. Two coaches were placed on paid leave in June when a scandal broke about drug use by several Warrior players — the incident that led to the Gravill-Thompson review being launched.

The former chief and former dean say there’s need for better education on the health effects and ethics of using banned substances; better, low-cost screening methods as a deterrent to the use of banned substances; and good processes for handling suspicions or allegations regarding use of banned substances while also protecting individual rights.

Says their report: “An allegation had been made in September of 2009 about the use of banned substances by a player; coaches had reported the situation and it was dealt with. We are assured that improvements will be implemented in reporting policies and the thresholds for passing information up to higher UW authorities. The incident provided valuable lessons regarding the need for note-keeping, minutes and witnesses for meetings with players that involve conduct issues. It also has brought forward suggestions that it would be desirable to have some mechanism for relatively low cost local screening and drug testing when suspicions are aroused, to increase the likelihood that a person using banned substances will be caught.”

“The coaches have our full confidence," Walker said yesterday, "and it’s our intent to help them advance the program in the months and years ahead as new plans and initiatives are implemented to establish Waterloo as a top football program, operated on principles of clean and fair play. We are committed to the future. We will work with our coaches, student athletes, staff and advisers to ensure that our student athletes receive not only a great football experience, but a first-class education — an important balance for sport at this level.”

Hamdullahpur added: “We understand the last few months have been very hard on players and their families. We had a tremendously tough decision to make for the health and well-being of our young people, as well as the greater good of the program, and the university, and we hope in the end that that will be understood.”

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Scrimmages, education as Warriors rebuild

The athletics department yesterday announced “a path forward to build a football program that is sustainable, successful, and which upholds the integrity and values that are expected of student-athletes who compete for Waterloo”.

Said athletics director Bob Copeland in a news release: “First and foremost in our go forward strategy is the commitment of coaches [Dennis] McPhee, [Joe] Paopao, and [Marshall] Bingeman to the program. I’m very proud of our coaching staff, who have stood tall during these very challenging circumstances. They have acted with the utmost professionalism and integrity throughout this process and have been deeply supportive of players on the team.” (Right: Bingeman speaks with players during a Warrior game in 2003.)

He added: “This has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved in the Warrior football program, especially our student-athletes and coaches. I would like to thank all of our student-athletes and recruits who have shown faith in our program and who will return to the team in 2010. For others who have chosen a different path, particular our seniors, we wish them the very best of luck.”

Copeland announced that “in order to provide an enriching training environment for players in the wake of the team’s suspension from OUA competition in 2010”, the team will play a number of inter-squad controlled scrimmages throughout the season. So far there are commitments from the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Windsor, University of Western Ontario and McMaster University, he said. “This is a testament to the leadership across the OUA in supporting us during this difficult time.”

Said the news release: “These training opportunities also will provide an opportunity for the Warrior players and coaches to share their experiences and insights regarding the issue of banned substances. It is important to get this issue out of the shadows of the dressing room and demonstrate to players the risks involved in using banned substances.”

The team will also hold a one-week training camp together with more than 200 athletes on other Warrior teams as part of a unique collaborative training camp model. Approximately 60 football players are expected in camp.

In addition, the Canadian Football League will be supporting public appearances by league officials throughout the season to help educate players about the league’s new substance abuse policy. Other educational programs are being developed with the league.

And more: “The athletics department is working closely with the Taylor Hooton Foundation to develop a comprehensive educational program that will benefit student-athletes, coaches, training staff, and strength and conditioning staff. Educational seminars delivered by foundation president Donald Hooton are scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17 and attendance will be mandatory for all University of Waterloo interuniversity athletes which number more than 560. In addition, the athletics department will invite coaches and health educators from our local high schools to attend these sessions to learn more about the scope of this issue in our high schools.

“The athletics department will require all coaches, full-time training staff, and strength and conditioning staff to undertake specially designed on-line coaching seminars developed by the Taylor Hooton Foundation. It is expected that approximately 100 of these leaders will complete the course.

“All Canadian Interuniversity Sport athletes will continue to complete the educational requirements mandated by the CIS and delivered through the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. In addition, all other athletes who compete in OUA sanctioned sports will be required to complete the CIS educational program.

“The athletics department will collaborate with University of Waterloo's health services to develop educational strategies targeted at students in general as well as those in high-risk groups about the perils of appearance and performance enhancing drugs. Individual team orientation sessions will be conducted with each of Waterloo’s 32 interuniversity teams which will provide further emphasis and discussion on the issue of performance enhancing drugs.

“Canadian Olympian and International Olympic Committee member Beckie Scott will be conducting a public lecture at the University of Waterloo on Sept. 21. She is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s athlete committee and is a tireless advocate for drug-free sport.

“The athletics department looks forward to actively participating in the CIS anti-doping symposium on Friday, Nov. 26, in conjunction with the 2010 Vanier Cup at Université Laval in Quebec City and sharing Waterloo's experience and findings with the CCES Task Force on the use of performance enhancing substances in football.”

The athletics department says it also will create a football advisory committee “in support of the program moving forward”. Says Copeland: “I’ve had tremendous support from people who want to be a part of rebuilding this program. Many people genuinely want to see our program succeed, including University of Waterloo administration.”

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'Ice cream social' among Johnston farewells

A program of awards to support international experiences for students will be part of David Johnston’s legacy after he ends his years as president of the university this fall, the office of development has announced.

Says a memo: “The David Johnston International Experience Awards have been established to help realize David’s dream of bringing the world to Waterloo and Waterloo to the world.

“Domestic students will be able to venture abroad for an exchange or a study or work term, the doors to Waterloo’s distant campuses will open for more students in other countries, and international students — including refugees — will have the opportunity to come to Waterloo’s Canadian campuses to learn.”

Friends of the university are already being invited to make gifts in support of the new awards. The memo tells them that “the last eleven years of Waterloo’s phenomenal development have been expertly guided by the incomparable David Johnston (left). He has led with extraordinary skill and great humility, and has fostered a winning culture of collaboration.

“David’s devoted friends and colleagues invite you to participate in the celebration of his remarkable legacy as Waterloo’s President before he steps down to assume his role as Canada’s next Governor General.”

At the same time, two farewell events are being announced in honour of Johnston, whose last day as president of the university is September 30.

One is a $150-a-plate “Thank You Celebration”, hosted by board of governors chair Bob Harding, on September 14 at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener. Tickets are for sale now.

The other is an on-campus Ice Cream Social from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 (not Friday the 17th as the Daily Bulletin predicted earlier this week). At this event, says the development office memo, “Waterloo faculty, staff, retirees, and students will gather to express gratitude to David and to wish him well.

“The rain location will be the Davis Centre foyer. Look for an invitation soon in your in-box.”

CAR

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