Phs Supports Dodge

[PHSCoach]

Yes at this point I’m supporting Dodge. The testing of all players I feel was the correct thing to do. To have all players take the Drug and Alcohol class is good thing for the program and the players alike. The reason that Dodge and or RV had the test ran is pure speculation and my wife has told me I cannot read minds.

The thing that is not good for the program, or the kids, are the people on boards like this one using names. Remember once on a public board this information does not just go away it is out there forever and ever.

For this reason if you son is on the team have him get a copy of all test and the results of all these test while he is at the University of North Texas. So when some employer is looking for information and runs a search you have information to prove what the results were……….

[shaft]

How nice of you to refer to yourself in third person.

[PHSCoach]

How nice of you to refer to yourself in third person.

I'm a math major so I have no idea what you are talking about

[Green P1]

Yes at this point I’m supporting Dodge. The testing of all players I feel was the correct thing to do. To have all players take the Drug and Alcohol class is good thing for the program and the players alike. The reason that Dodge and or RV had the test ran is pure speculation and my wife has told me I cannot read minds.

The thing that is not good for the program, or the kids, are the people on boards like this one using names. Remember once on a public board this information does not just go away it is out there forever and ever.

For this reason if you son is on the team have him get a copy of all test and the results of all these test while he is at the University of North Texas. So when some employer is looking for information and runs a search you have information to prove what the results were……….

Classy post, from top to bottom.

[LongJim]

...and my wife has told me I cannot read minds.

Well, if she's like mine--she expects me to anyway.

[TheTastyGreek]

I don't have any problem with the testing... Testing is a big part of prevention and enforcement when you're trying to keep student-athletes on the right path.

[eulessismore]

Yes at this point I’m supporting Dodge. The testing of all players I feel was the correct thing to do. To have all players take the Drug and Alcohol class is good thing for the program and the players alike. The reason that Dodge and or RV had the test ran is pure speculation and my wife has told me I cannot read minds.

The thing that is not good for the program, or the kids, are the people on boards like this one using names. Remember once on a public board this information does not just go away it is out there forever and ever.

For this reason if you son is on the team have him get a copy of all test and the results of all these test while he is at the University of North Texas. So when some employer is looking for information and runs a search you have information to prove what the results were……….

That takes a lot of courage and wisdom on your part PHS, both supporting Dodge in his substance abuse policy, and pointing out that only harm can come from calling out players by name on this. TheTastyGreek pointed out this morning that no good could come of such speculation, and you've now added the credibility that only a parent can. Let's all remember that there's something bigger than football going on here; the futures of young men hang in the balance. Some of them have certainly made mistakes in this. If some of us feel that they shouldn't get the second chance, we should look back on our own lives and ask whether we didn't get that benefit at times when we could have been dealt with more harshly.

This is in no way of condoning drug or alcohol abuse. I could tell you some hair raising stories of people I knew during my life, and certainly during the time I was a student at North Texas, that would make your hair stand on end. Some of them died well before they should have. I do think there are times when those who have made bad decisions can turn their lives around; and I certainly hope that is the case with these young men. It can make a lot of difference if substance abusers can have the support they need from those who care about them, and want them to do better. There are always people out there willing to get high or drunk with them. If you think the actual offenders are not being punished, I would suggest that those of them who do care about those around them will become aware of the extent they have let down those who were counting on them. If that doesn't bother them now, it probably will later on.

[Lurker]

I don't have any problems with testing. It was a great idea and obviously needed.

HOWEVER - there is a way to do this so that the results do not end up in the media. Inexperience just cost UNT a pair of black eyes in the view of the public.

[Green P1]

I don't have any problems with testing. It was a great idea and obviously needed.

HOWEVER - there is a way to do this so that the results do not end up in the media.

Maybe you could tell us all how to do the testing correctly? Or better yet you could e-mail some of your wisdom to RV.

[nautique]

I don't have any problem with the testing... Testing is a big part of prevention and enforcement when you're trying to keep student-athletes on the right path.

Good post Tasty. The more often the better. It is a good idea. But this was a a publicity nightware, regards of the spin.

PHS agreeing with Dodge is a little strange after blasting him the last two seasons. I wonder how Dodge, Ford, and Clayton looked at Daniel today after hearing about the most recent blast.

PHS, one thing for sure, you have balls and you smoke quality cigars. Question for you, in your five years at UNT, how many players have broken team rules, puffed on an occasional joint, or have gotten arrested for major violations? Not worried about MIPs but that had major issues.

Are you surprised it was only 15? What would Dickey have done? It is my understanding that DD never gave team tests or even random university drug tests? This comes from some seniors on the team? Only the standard NCAA tests were done.

Like to hear your comments. The player who told me about how Dickey ran the program is definitely a friend of Daniel.

[PHSCoach]

PHS agreeing with Dodge is a little strange after blasting him the last two seasons. I wonder how Dodge, Ford, and Clayton looked at Daniel today after hearing about the most recent blast.

PHS, one thing for sure, you have balls and you smoke quality cigars. Question for you, in your five years at UNT, how many players have broken team rules, puffed on an occasional joint, or have gotten arrested for major violations? Not worried about MIPs but that had major issues.

Are you surprised it was only 15? What would Dickey have done? It is my understanding that DD never gave team tests or even random university drug tests? This comes from some seniors on the team? Only the standard NCAA tests were done.

Oh don't worry I'm sure that I will be blasting Dodge within a week. Dumb and Dumber are not worthy of much time.

What would DD have done is another speculation, but if I was a player I wouldn't have wanted to be around after he found out.

I don't know why players were tested every year, if not for the random university drug tests. This falls under the AD and the training staff per the drug program. I know my son has pissed in the cup 5 or 6 times while at UNT.

From 2004 until now I can think of 7 players that have broken team rules and or been arrested for major viloations.

[OldTimer]

Yes at this point I’m supporting Dodge. The testing of all players I feel was the correct thing to do. To have all players take the Drug and Alcohol class is good thing for the program and the players alike. The reason that Dodge and or RV had the test ran is pure speculation and my wife has told me I cannot read minds.

The thing that is not good for the program, or the kids, are the people on boards like this one using names. Remember once on a public board this information does not just go away it is out there forever and ever.

For this reason if you son is on the team have him get a copy of all test and the results of all these test while he is at the University of North Texas. So when some employer is looking for information and runs a search you have information to prove what the results were……….

**********************************************************************************************************************

Good post...just too bad for the players involved..Hope this ultimately will help them straighten out.

I also want to say I am proud of the way Daniel Meager has handled himself, considering everything that has happened to him at North Texas. It takes guts to stay on the team doing your best to help the team in any way he can. (note the Meager note has nothing to do with drug testing....just been wanting to say how well Daniel has handled this situation publically for some time and took this opportunity to do so)

[Lurker]

Maybe you could tell us all how to do the testing correctly? Or better yet you could e-mail some of your wisdom to RV.

It's not the testing that is a problem: it's the handling of the records.

You do the testing where it is attached to the players medical records and the summaries as a part of the medical report to the coach. A records request cannot access certain types of records: you put the information where you know it cannot be touched.

[nautique]

It's not the testing that is a problem: it's the handling of the records.

You do the testing where it is attached to the players medical records and the summaries as a part of the medical report to the coach. A records request cannot access certain types of records: you put the information where you know it cannot be touched.

You can't do it the smart way,

you have to do it in a way that makes the team and its members look foolish. Not to mention the University and all those recruits considering this University.

[VideoEagle]

I think that if an employer forces someone to take a drug test, it can not be part of their official medical records. An employer can not force an to employee to accept a medical procedure they do not want. I think a variation of this applies to students. Obviously, depending on how the contract (for a scholarship) is worded the employee (or scholarship athlete) can be required to give up certain rights.

[Rudy]

What would DD have done is another speculation, but if I was a player I wouldn't have wanted to be around after he found out.

You think DD would have done ANYTHING? Hell he didnt do anything when his players took stupid ass unsportsmanlike penalties.

[nautique]

You think DD would have done ANYTHING? Hell he didnt do anything when his players took stupid ass unsportsmanlike penalties.

Hey Rudy, chill and put up your night stick or taser. Its all going to be good.

[stebo]

There is a flaw to the HIPPA arguement... some coaches might not want to leave after this season and may be asked to. We HAVE learned from our mistakes and will never let an assistant hold priviledged information over our programs' head again.

[Quoner]

You think DD would have done ANYTHING? Hell he didnt do anything when his players took stupid ass unsportsmanlike penalties.

Best post of the night. Rich and compelling.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

There is a flaw to the HIPPA arguement... some coaches might not want to leave after this season and may be asked to. We HAVE learned from our mistakes and will never let an assistant hold priviledged information over our programs' head again.

You think many of the assistants will leave from this year? My guess if any, it will be limited to one.

[Rudy]

Hey Rudy, chill and put up your night stick or taser. Its all going to be good.

Im cool, just suprised that anyone could think Dickey was any form of discplinarian after watching 8 years of stupid late hits.

[stebo]

You think many of the assistants will leave from this year? My guess if any, it will be limited to one.

Maybe, Maybe not... but if the decision is made to let go of any of the coaches for any reason - they will not be able to hold information over the program in return for keeping their job... no more "hush" money. I think the words that were used were "If I am going down, we are all going down" or something to that effect... when we last wanted to get rid of a certain coach. Maybe that was pure rumour, maybe it wasn't. All that I know is that it made sense and from the antics that I saw from that coach, I could 100% picture him pulling a blackmail stunt like that. I also don't know how a player could ever be forced to sign a HIPPA release form by a coach. HIPPA protects records from anyone but the doctor and the patient. A coach would not have some super power to see the records, that would be against the law. Patient/Doctor confidentiality is pretty simple, the patient's medical information is his own. He or she can sign a HIPPA release form to release his information to another doctor or to an individual... or to an insurance company. The insurance company would have to be notified of a test like this. You can't take this out of "petty cash"... Parents would not need to be involved as the patients are all over 18. But a HIPPA release can be revoked at any time, orally or written form. If I was a kid that was being given a urine test and I knew that I was going to fail, I would just deny the test from the team doctor... that is unless it was a condition of the student conduct code as part of their scholarship. Still, HIPPA would not protect those records because they would have to be released. There is no way around this with secret testing. I guess that Dodge could have gone down to CVS and bought home urine tox tests but then it would be a cover up, he wouldn't be able to get counseling for the kids that needed it, and it would really be a scandal because it would be so unorthodox. No easy answer here, just that we have learned from our mistakes (I believe) and sometimes it is better to acknowledge the elephant in the room rather than ignore it. The vote is over, its time to clean house before we move into the new one.

Thank you for yor excellent post Mr Meager, I don't always agree with your opinions but I always respect your words... People can disagree and still have respect for one another. We just happen to agree about this subject.

[PHSCoach]

This is part of the ship that covers most of the testing

Athletes are free to refuse to consent to drug testing under this program. However, athletes who decline participation in the program, which is designed to protect the health and reputation of the student athlete, will not be eligible for, nor shall be permitted to receive a scholarship or to participate in, intercollegiate athletics for UNT. An athlete who fails to test for drugs as provided in this policy, after initially consenting to drug testing, shall be considered to have made a decision not to participate in the UNT program and to agree to forfeit his/her scholarship immediately.

At the beginning of each academic year and before the athlete is allowed to train or compete, he/she will be expected to sign the following document:

CONSENT TO TESTING OF URINE SAMPLE AND

AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION

To: Athletic Director, UNT

University of North Texas

Denton, TX 76203

I hereby consent to have samples of my urine collected and tested for the presence of certain drugs or substances in accordance with the provisions of the UNT Intercollegiate Athletics Drug Education, Testing, and Counseling Program. I further authorize this information to be released under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The University of North Texas, its Board of Regents, its officers, employees and agents are hereby released from legal responsibility or liability for the release of such information and records as authorized by this form.

[stebo]

Coach, I work in the education business as well (college level) and that is a FERPA release form. Basically that is a form that allows the school to drug test, I imagine it is used for anyone on scholarship at UNT. The FERPA part protects the student, just allows the administration to make sure a student is enrolled in, and going to his/her classes. Grades can be released with a FERPA form, some private information. Basically, FERPA was created in the 70's because many parents would call colleges to check on their kids and find out that their next "scientist" or "doctor" was now a Synchronized Swimming Major and flip their lids. Or they would get their kids grades... or their schedules... etc, etc... FERPA protects all of that. A student can sign a FERPA release form that is connected to a security word - but the information that can be given out is limited even still (lots of worry about identity theft these days).

This does not give the school permission to drug test a student through a routine physical, if they were to do that - the University could get sued and the kid would just refuse it. If he was too scared to refuse the test and took it anyways, the doctor would NOT be able to discuss the outcome of that test with anyone but the player. There is no HIPPA release on that form. I am going to guess that they do sign a HIPPA release form as well so that doctors can discuss concussions and stuff with the coaches; but there is no way they would test or reveal the results of a test. Too risky for all parties concerned, especially when the school has their own waiver on file.