GGC Student-Athlete Handbook 2021-22

Drug Testing Drug testing will be conducted on selective and random basis, usually with unannounced tests.

Student athletes may be subjected to testing during the entrance physical screening, or at any time throughout the academic year. Testing may include team testing, pre-season testing, or postseason/championship testing. A student athlete who refuses to participate in a drug screening, or fails to report for a scheduled screening within the allotted time, will be considered medically ineligible. Procedures and sanctions will be consistent with those of a positive test.

Sanctions for Positive Test Results In the event that a sample tests positive at the laboratory, the lab will notify the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. That notification will include the name of the person with the positive test as well as the substance category that was violated. That person will in turn notify the Director of athletics with the same information. At that time the following sanctions will be applied.

First Offense The student athlete will be notified of a positive test in a meeting with the director of athletics and the respective head coach. The parents of the student athlete will be notified. The student athlete will be considered medically ineligible, and will not be permitted to participate in practices or competition for a period of time set by the director of athletics. The period of ineligibility begins on the day of the official notification and lasts for a minimum period of 14 days after which the student athlete must be re-tested with negative results. The director of athletics will consider recommendations of the respective coach, the recommendation of the head athletic trainer and any other relevant circumstances. After due consideration, the director of athletics has the options to discontinue scholarship assistance, extend the period of ineligibility up to a period of one year, to require participation in an approved treatment or counseling program, undergo mandatory health assessments, or any combination thereof. In addition, once a student athlete tests positive for a banned substance, random selection will no longer apply, and the student athlete can expect to be selected for participation in drug screening more frequently than other student athletes. Before the student athlete can regain eligibility the student athlete must be retested with negative findings.

Second Offense A student athlete who tests positive for a second time during his or her eligibility will be immediately and permanently expelled from intercollegiate athletics at Georgia Gwinnett College. This includes loss of all athletic-related financial aid.

Appeals Process If a student feels that the results of the tests are in error, they may request that the split part of the sample be retested at the same laboratory that performed the original test at their expense. If the student athlete feels that sanctions are unduly harsh or unfair due to unusual 34