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PRESS
RELEASE
 BUNNING’S
STAND ON DRUGS IN SPORT EARNS HIM USSA EAGLE AWARD
 (DAPHNE,
Alabama, December 16, 2005)
U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), whose threat of congressional intervention
led to a stronger stance against drugs in Major League Baseball, has
been named the 2006 Eagle Award Winner by the United States Sports
Academy.
The Eagle Award is presented annually to a world leader in sport to
recognize that individual’s contributions in promoting international
harmony, peace and goodwill through the effective use of sport.
In early November, Bunning and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) re-introduced
bipartisan legislation that would impose tough new drug testing policies
and penalties on professional sports teams. Bunning, a founding member
of the Major League Baseball Player’s Association and a member
of the Baseball Hall of Fame, was dissatisfied with efforts by unions
and management in professional sports’ to work out agreements
on stronger drug testing policies. He and McCain believed legislation
was necessary.
“All I have heard so far is talk,” Bunning said in a statement
released Nov. 3. “The leagues have had their chance and they
have failed to lead, so now we will do it for them.
The Integrity in Professional Sports Act required players to be tested
at least five times a year – three times during the season and
twice in the off-season – and the tests would be conducted with
no advance notice to the athlete. Substances tested would have included
all that are banned for all sports in the Olympics. Players testing
positive would be suspended without pay from all leagues for two years
for their first offense. Second time offenses would result in a lifetime
ban.
Less than two weeks later, the Major League Baseball Players Association
and management reached their own agreement for a stronger drug testing
policy. Recent publicity about widespread use of steroids in baseball
had prompted the threat of congressional action.
The new agreement increases penalties applicable to players who test
positive for steroids. First-time offenders will be suspended for
50 games. Second-time offenders will be suspended for 100 games. Third-time
offenders will be banned for life. Players banned for life will have
the opportunity to seek reinstatement after a minimum suspension of
two years, with potential arbitral review of the decision on reinstatement.
The new agreement also will provide for random amphetamine testing
in Major League Baseball. Players who test positive for amphetamines
for the first time will be subject to mandatory evaluation and follow-up
testing. Subsequent positive tests for amphetamines will carry suspensions
of 25 games, 80 games and up to a lifetime ban.
The United States Sports Academy, “America’s Sport University,”
is an independent, nonprofit institution that offers sport-specific
programs to students, teachers, and administrators around the world.
The Academy has a special mission to serve the sports industry as
a resource in instruction, research, and other vital sports-related
services. It is the only freestanding institution of higher learning
in the United States offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees
in Sport Science and Sport Management, in addition to its extensive
certification programs.
For more information about the United States Sports Academy, call
251-626-3303 or visit the Academy’s website www.ussa.edu.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT: Rick Sincere
Scribe Strategies & Advisors
Phone: 202-393-4884
Fax: 202-318-0555
Email: editor@scribeus.com
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