Former Falcon suspended for drug use at championships
Random drug tests are a normal
part of athletics, from professional
leagues to school sports.
That's why so many people are surprised that Brandon Cato, a former forward for the Falcons men's basketball team, was caught with cannabis in his system during a random drug test at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association championships earlier this year.
Cannabinoids are classified as "specified substances" on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, and are banned in competition. Under the rules of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport's anti-doping program, punishments for a first violation involving a specified substance can range from a reprimand to a two-year suspension from the game.
Cato received a one-month suspension after testing positive at the championships in Calgary on March 20. His suspension runs from September 1 to 30. Cato was unavailable for comment.
This is Fanshawe's first doping offence.
Student-athletes are well educated in the national and provincial rules and regulations regarding drug use, according to Eric Collins, athletic program officer at Fanshawe. "We have a very intense education program, seminars, pamphlets, training through both the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association and the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.
"(Athletes) are tested all through the year," he said. "This is also part of the education process for these student athletes and the coaches themselves. They can be tested at any time. They can be tested at home, during practice, at tournaments, at championships — there really is no limitation as to when a test can occur."
Since Cato is no longer enrolled at Fanshawe, the school is not able to punish him under the school's code of conduct. However, "as a student at that particular time, we still look at it as a code of conduct issue," said Bob Clark, one of Fanshawe's campus security supervisors.
Clark explained that if Cato were to return to Fanshawe as a student, he would be subject to Fanshawe's regulations regarding drug use. "In most cases, it's a security officer that deals with (drug offences). They'd give him a violation notice, which is a minor offence under the student code of conduct."
Clark said the terms and length of a punishment for a drug offence depend on the type and amount of drug the student is caught with. "It's like the court system here in Canada: depending on what you have in your possession, it depends on the severity how the courts look at it."
"It's very disappointing, especially given the education programs that we have in place," said Collins. "A priority is given at this college to clean, fair play.
"I think although most people within the sporting community will see this as a relatively minor infraction and a relatively minor suspension, this is something as a department we are taking seriously. We're going to ramp up our already intense education programs for all of our student athletes, our staff and our coaches."
Joe Scalia, president of the Fanshawe Student Union, said the situation was unfortunate. "When you are an athlete, you are subject to the CCAA guidelines and as a representative for the college, you're subject to the expectations put forth by the college."
Athletic director Mike Lindsay was unavailable for comment.
That's why so many people are surprised that Brandon Cato, a former forward for the Falcons men's basketball team, was caught with cannabis in his system during a random drug test at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association championships earlier this year.
Cannabinoids are classified as "specified substances" on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, and are banned in competition. Under the rules of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport's anti-doping program, punishments for a first violation involving a specified substance can range from a reprimand to a two-year suspension from the game.
Cato received a one-month suspension after testing positive at the championships in Calgary on March 20. His suspension runs from September 1 to 30. Cato was unavailable for comment.
This is Fanshawe's first doping offence.
Student-athletes are well educated in the national and provincial rules and regulations regarding drug use, according to Eric Collins, athletic program officer at Fanshawe. "We have a very intense education program, seminars, pamphlets, training through both the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association and the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.
"(Athletes) are tested all through the year," he said. "This is also part of the education process for these student athletes and the coaches themselves. They can be tested at any time. They can be tested at home, during practice, at tournaments, at championships — there really is no limitation as to when a test can occur."
Since Cato is no longer enrolled at Fanshawe, the school is not able to punish him under the school's code of conduct. However, "as a student at that particular time, we still look at it as a code of conduct issue," said Bob Clark, one of Fanshawe's campus security supervisors.
Clark explained that if Cato were to return to Fanshawe as a student, he would be subject to Fanshawe's regulations regarding drug use. "In most cases, it's a security officer that deals with (drug offences). They'd give him a violation notice, which is a minor offence under the student code of conduct."
Clark said the terms and length of a punishment for a drug offence depend on the type and amount of drug the student is caught with. "It's like the court system here in Canada: depending on what you have in your possession, it depends on the severity how the courts look at it."
"It's very disappointing, especially given the education programs that we have in place," said Collins. "A priority is given at this college to clean, fair play.
"I think although most people within the sporting community will see this as a relatively minor infraction and a relatively minor suspension, this is something as a department we are taking seriously. We're going to ramp up our already intense education programs for all of our student athletes, our staff and our coaches."
Joe Scalia, president of the Fanshawe Student Union, said the situation was unfortunate. "When you are an athlete, you are subject to the CCAA guidelines and as a representative for the college, you're subject to the expectations put forth by the college."
Athletic director Mike Lindsay was unavailable for comment.
