My Reaction to Ferentz/Barta Presser



Good read, Jon. The only real alarm bell that sounded for me from the presser was the fact that a faculty member and medical students were being used to conduct some of these tests. We would hope that all would be professional and not do anything to jeopardize their medical careers. But as you note football players can be intimidating, almost god-like to some people (including many on this board). Further, are medical students fully trained and skilled on how to prevent or avoid cheating? Seems there could be a weakness there.

I wish someone would have asked Barta whether the use of UofI students to do these outside tests was one of the potential problems that had been detected. On the surface it would certainly appear to be the case.
 


Thanks for including the part about the roommate. A person could say that he was living with person A, and be living with person B. It can be impossible at times to know what your own kids are doing, let alone one of 115 football players. For example. GF lives at college with two other girls in an apt. When dad comes to visit, she is there. But all other times, she is living with her BF. Dad hasn't a clue.

If they did have a roommate policy, it would be ultimately up to the player to be truthful.
 


You're right with your comments Jon.

In the end, this should quell the worst of the rumors, but it does leave some remaining behind. And it certainly leaves everybody looking at things with new perspectives, whether it's fans wanting to know about the drug policy and testing, or the university and how they should address potential problems in their testing and other situations.
 


It's hard for me to believe that the coaches knew nothing about this before the arrest.

There definatley needs to be some kind of check on who these guys are living with. Sure they could lie and find ways to hang out with the same bad group - but the way things are currently going there needs to be a stronger message sent about who players associate with.
 


Bigtenchamp said:
It's hard for me to believe that the coaches knew nothing about this before the arrest.

There definatley needs to be some kind of check on who these guys are living with. Sure they could lie and find ways to hang out with the same bad group - but the way things are currently going there needs to be a stronger message sent about who players associate with.
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How do you propose 'checking' on who someone lives with?

Now we have random drug testing. Next, random roomie checks? How do you prove who lives in a place, and who does not? Ultimately it is the word of the player as to 'yeah, he is my roommate, or not.'
 


Wish I had thought of this earlier..

Someone on twitter said something interesting...that Iowa is going to get beat up over this, when they DONT HAVE TO EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN TESTING POLICIES. They are not required to do what they do, they are only required to institute the NCAA and Big Ten policies, which are really only looking for performance enhancing drugs and are far less frequent in their testing.
 


Bigtenchamp said:
It's hard for me to believe that the coaches knew nothing about this before the arrest.

I kind of thought the same thing, until someone I know connected to another program reminded me that from August thru December (and into January if there's a bowl) the coaches practically live at the football complex and work insane hours. They're lucky to get a night out for dinner with their families..no less at home. They have very little time for anything else.
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There definitely needs to be some kind of check on who these guys are living with. Sure they could lie and find ways to hang out with the same bad group - but the way things are currently going there needs to be a stronger message sent about who players associate with.
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I agree. You'd think this is where guys like Fred Mimms and company would come in. With 95 players on scholarship it's no small feat...but certainly needed.
 


tweeterhawk said:
Good read, Jon. The only real alarm bell that sounded for me from the presser was the fact that a faculty member and medical students were being used to conduct some of these tests. We would hope that all would be professional and not do anything to jeopardize their medical careers. But as you note football players can be intimidating, almost god-like to some people (including many on this board). Further, are medical students fully trained and skilled on how to prevent or avoid cheating? Seems there could be a weakness there.

I wish someone would have asked Barta whether the use of UofI students to do these outside tests was one of the potential problems that had been detected. On the surface it would certainly appear to be the case.
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The testing coordinator is with the student that is assisting with the testing. The testing coordinator is not someone that is going to feel intimidated.
 




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