The University of Waterloo fumbles its 2010 football season for steroid abuse
Earlier this year, we reported that the entire University of Waterloo football team was getting tested for steroid abuse after a player was arrested for possession and trafficking of steroids. Upon hearing of the arrest, AD Bob Copeland ordered the entire team of 62 players to be tested. Based on 9 positive results, in an unprecedented move, the university decided to suspend its entire football program for one year. The school’s steroid scandal was dubbed the most significant scandal in Canadian university sports history to date.
The one man to thank for this was WR Nathan Zettler who was arrested and charged this past spring for possession and trafficking of anabolic steroids. His arrest prompted an immediate investigation and testing. When the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport tested the team, there were at least 4 admissions of use, 3 positive tests, and one refused test. This isn’t to say the entire team was abusing steroids, but there was enough evidence to cause the university to shut down the program.
On the bright side, this one year suspension may do the program some good. Last season the Warriors were a paltry 3-5. Coach Dennis McPhee, who is now suspended with pay, has some time on his hands to refine his playbook and construct a way to correct the scar this steroid scandal has left behind.
The true victims from this scandal are the upperclassmen who wanted to finish their collegiate careers playing football for the Warriors. There hasn’t been any news yet regarding their possibilities of transferring to other schools.
