The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 7, 1998

Kentucky revises alcohol policy, severs ties with various advertisers

The University of Kentucky, in the aftermath of an auto accident that claimed the life of one university football player and injured another, has revised its policy for dealing with the use of alcohol by university student-athletes.

C.M. Newton, Kentucky's director of athletics, announced that in addition to the university's current alcohol policy that governs all students, the athletics department has implemented a program that includes an educational component; monitoring of behavior by coaches and athletics personnel; random testing for drugs and alcohol; professional counseling when warranted; and disciplinary actions ranging from curfew restrictions to suspension.

The additional policy, which is effective immediately, would temporarily suspend from practice and competition any student-athlete charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.

If the student-athlete is convicted of the charge, he or she would be suspended indefinitely and forfeit his or her scholarship.

In the event a student-athlete is charged with public intoxication or underage consumption of alcohol, the student-athlete would be placed on probation and be required to enter and complete an alcohol-counseling program.

The athletics department also announced the adoption of a policy that eliminates advertising by beer, wine and liquor companies on official University of Kentucky outlets, such as the radio and television networks, coaches' shows, posters, schedule cards, game programs and signage, following the conclusion of current contracts.

The school's outlets have current contracts with Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing and Maker's Mark.

A truck carrying two Kentucky football players on a deer-hunting trip flipped on a ru-
ral highway November 15, killing Arthur Steinmetz, a defensive lineman, and Scott Brock, a student at Eastern Kentucky University.

The driver of the truck, Kentucky starting center Jason Watts, was injured and later charged with second-degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.