CIS, CFL announces new anti-doping tests for football

Two months after the University of Waterloo suspended its entire football program due to a steroid scandal, Canadian Interuniversity Sport announced new drug-testing measures in conjunction with the CFL and the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sports.

To underscore the new measures CIS announced it was suspending two more university football players -- Christopher Deneau at Windsor and Acadia's Taylor Shadgett -- for two years as a result of June anti-doping tests.

CIS CEO Marg MacGregor announced Tuesday that the CFL was helping to cover the $800 costs of drug testing, increasing the amount of tests to more than 15 per cent of each roster.

MacGregor told CTV's Canada AM that the new systems effectively triples the amount of testing.

"We are hoping that that has a tremendous deterrent effect," she said Wednesday.

She added that the CFL will be adding some educational measures for university football players on the detrimental effects of using illegal drugs.

MacGregor also said the new testing will not be entirely random, as some players will be targeted for testing if they are seen to be performing beyond their expected capabilities, or if they demonstrate dramatic weight gain.

"We think that will have significant impact starting next season," she said.

In addition, the CFL, which adopted drug rules of its own this year, gave the CIS a list of its top 80 prospects, giving the CIS another target group. The CFL has long been criticized that its lack of a drug policy was sending a weak anti-drug message to prospects.

Only 89 CIS football players were tested all of last season.

In June, the University of Waterloo announced it was suspending its entire football program after nine players were implicated for doping.

The decision meant the careers of players going into their final year, such as quarterback Luke Balch, were over.

Speaking to Canada AM Wednesday, Balch said the new rules would serve as a deterrent, particularly because the CFL stepped in to say it would not accept players using performance enhancing drugs.

"I'm really proud of the CIS and CFL for collaborating on this issue," he said. "Players realize their careers could be over if they take the risk."

Balch said he's still upset that he lost his final year of playing football, but he is glad positive changes have stemmed from the situation.