However, the Association's decision in 1999 to turn over administration of the program to a private company apparently shielded drug testing from the turbulence experienced by other NCAA programs as a result of restructuring and the national office's move to Indianapolis.

The NCAA signed a contract with The National Center for Drug Free Sport to collect samples from more than 10,000 student-athletes, not just at championships but throughout the school year at Divisions I and II campuses around the country.

But the "outsourcing" effectively left administration of the program in the hands of the same person who previously directed drug testing as an NCAA staff member for 13 years. And it did not materially affect supervision of the program by the drug-education and drug-testing subcommittee of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.

Frank Uryasz, who joined the NCAA staff just a couple of months after the NCAA membership approved the drug-testing program at the 1986 Convention, founded The Center for Drug Free Sport after deciding to remain in Kansas City in 1999. Uryasz planned to serve as a consultant to organizations interested in drug-education and testing programs, and was prepared to work from his own home.

But the Association asked Uryasz to continue to administer the NCAA program as a contractor, and suddenly Uryasz found himself searching for office space. He also moved quickly to retain the same crews who for years have been collecting samples for testing at championships sites and on campuses.

"It's worked very well," Uryasz said. "We've continued to operate drug-testing the same way and with the same people, during a time when things were changing greatly in a lot of other areas.

"Some of our crews have been working in the NCAA program since its inception. We've really been fortunate in being able to retain these folks."

 Uryasz's customers agree the decision was a good one.

"We are very fortunate to have The Center for Drug Free Sport, because I think they are of excellent quality," said Gary Green, former chair of the competitive-safeguards committee.

The contract enhances the NCAA's effort to maintain "blind" drug testing, ensuring that student-athletes remain anonymous throughout the process.

"Up until 1999, the NCAA collected the samples," Green noted. "Now that we have an independent collection group, I think it's a more solid program, because there is no conflict of interest. The people who are collecting, they don't work for the NCAA. The people who are analyzing at the UCLA Olympic lab, they don't work for the NCAA."

-- Jack L. Copeland