BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/RegisterTaylor Shadgett’s days as an Acadia football Axemen are over.
After testing positive for using a banned substance, the third-year linebacker from Orillia, Ontario, has been suspended for two years from Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) competition. This is the first positive drug test for use of a performance-enhancing substance by an Acadia varsity athlete.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced the suspension Aug. 10 following a two-month investigation and arbitration process. Shadgett failed a random drug test performed in Ontario June 7; he tested positive for the use of the prohibited substance Stanozolol as a result of the ingestion of the steroid Winstrol.
Arbitrator Michel Picher’s report indicates, at the time of the testing, Shadgett was asked if he had consumed any prohibited substances in the previous 10 days. He admitted he had.
“The athlete does not deny having committed a doping infraction, and does not contest the positive test finding or the imposition of the mandatory sanction,” the report states.
According to the record, Shadgett began to consume Winstrol on or about May 22 and took a total of 11 tablets between then and May 29.
“At that point he had a change of heart and decided to no longer take the steroid Winstrol or any other prohibited substance.”
At the time of the testing, the Acadia player had ceased taking the prohibited substance for nine days. “He nevertheless answered fully and honestly when asked if he had consumed any prohibited substance in the previous 10 days.”
Evidence supplied to the arbitrator confirms Shadgett “is a person of good character” who, in addition to his athletic activities, has done a lot of volunteer work with youth, both in Ontario and at Acadia.
“The arbitrator accepts that the claimant has an established record of good conduct and good character, and that the doping infraction in this claim is an isolated and uncharacteristic event.”
The decision states Shadgett “recognizes he made a grave error in judgment.” In the view of the arbitrator, “he feels genuine regret and remorse for his mistake,” which “was uncharacteristic of a person of previous good conduct and character.”
In rendering his decision, the arbitrator took into account the fact that the infraction was not committed in an in-competition setting.
“There is no suggestion of the claimant having engaged in any effort to avoid testing, tamper with his sample or delay the process. Nor is he involved in trafficking or supplying prohibited substances to others.”
Shadgett received a two-year suspension, the minimum penalty for a first offense, but due to his honesty and prompt admission, it was calculated from June 7, the earliest possible day under the rules.
“It’s a disappointment ”
“All one can do is remain hopeful that this is an isolated incident,” Acadia athletic director Brian Heaney said August 11.
Based on information received from Acadia’s varsity coaches, “there is no cause to suggest that it is any more widespread.
“The circumstances around this one case are such that it appears to be unconnected to anything systemic either for this area or for Acadia.”
Heaney confirmed Shadgett is still an Acadia student and “his intention is to complete his education at Acadia and graduate.”
However, Shadgett’s suspension is for two years and he forfeits those two years of eligibility permanently. “His football-playing days at Acadia are over,” Heaney said.
The university, “supports the testing regime and suspension policies of the CCES and CIS, and is committed to the objectives of all sports organizations to achieve doping-free sport and to protect the rights of athletes to compete in a fair and ethical sport environment,” Heaney pointed out.
All Acadia athletes already receive mandatory drug education delivered by university athletics staff, and must complete a CCES online education program before they are eligible to play.
As well, varsity coaches monitor the off-season training results of their players to identify any unusual or suspicious results.
All these existing programs will be enhanced, Heaney said, and Acadia will add drug education seminars for each varsity team at the conclusion of its season, and a mandatory “refresher” seminar at the end of the athletic year.
Acadia will invite third-party experts to conduct the existing pre-season seminar for all athletes on their obligation to train and compete drug-free, and the penalties and consequences for the use of banned substances.
From now on, Heaney added, any Acadia athlete who receives a suspension as the result of the use of a performance-enhancing substance will be permanently expelled from the school’s varsity athletics.
Heaney confirmed the investigation into the incident has taken the past two months. “It’s all necessary, but it has been time-consuming.”
“It’s a disappointment, but I feel that out of the disappointment, Acadia is showing great leadership in moving forward in addressing the issue.”
