At the College of William & Mary and Christopher Newport University, each school has different drug policies regarding the student population ––– including student-athletes.
Recently, Nate Evans, a Tribe football player, was killed in what authorities believe to be a drug transaction in Norfolk, and it is unclear if Evans ever tested positive for drug use.
RELATED STORY: WM football player went to Norfolk for a drug transaction when he was shot to death, court documents say
College of William & Mary
- Athletic division: Division I
- Test provider: Bacon Street Youth & Family Services
- Drug tests per year: 2
“Every sport is ensured to be tested at least once per year by WM Athletics,” Pete Clawson, spokesman for the athletics department, wrote in an email.
Clawson added at least 10 percent of student-athletes from each team will be tested during the school year.
Students in the university’s Safe Harbor program are exempt from random tests.
Lynn Bañeza, clinical director for Bacon Street, said the organization randomly selects the students and test them in the university’s athletic facilities.
If a student tested positive, W&M decides whether to have the student re-tested, to test the student at Bacon Street or to handle the positive test internally. And if there is a suspicion or cause of drug related activity, the university can also test the entire team and the coaching staff during the on and off seasons, Bañeza said.
There are first, second and third offenses and students have a right to appeal the decision.
WYDaily asked Bacon Street for the number of student-athletes tested in the 2018-2019 school year and the number of student-athletes who tested positive. Bacon Street did not respond to multiple attempts for comment.
Christopher Newport University
- Athletic division: Division III
- Test provider: Drug Free Sport
- Drug tests per year: 2
At Christopher Newport University, all students follow the same drug policy outlined in the college’s student handbook.