Fincher and McConnell Earn Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American Honors

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A new article has been posted on www.latechsports.com:



After finishing the 2022 season in the Austin Regional, Colligate Baseball named Bulldog Pitcher Jonathan Fincher and outfielder Cole McConnell Preseason All-American on Monday morning.

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Discuss it here.

[glm47]

I see McConnell’s mom has issued a statement regarding his situation.

[dawg80]

I see McConnell’s mom has issued a statement regarding his situation.

Which is what?

[LATECH87]

I see McConnell’s mom has issued a statement regarding his situation.

And....

[Dwayne From Minden]

Saying it was medical in nature -

Took a script medicine that had a banned substance

[FriscoDawg]

Saying it was medical in nature -

Took a script medicine that had a banned substance

So the original report was correct after all. That makes sense considering he is still on the roster. Likely couldn't have been another type of disciplinary issue and still be on the roster.

If he had a valid prescription for the medicine with a valid reason for needing it and had revealed that prior to the test, that could have been noted on the drug test forms.

So the minimum suspension is until he can produce a negative drug test. Could be several more weeks.

[Bone_afide_Dawg]

I sure hope this is accurate and he returns soon. We need him back asap.

[Dwayne From Minden]

He was also taking supplements from GNC for weight gain according to her update -

Not, that I have any inside information, but to me that might be the issue more than the meds since the NCAA deals with medication issues all the time

And GNC otc supplements are notorious for containing banned substances on the NCAA list

[Dixonfor6]

He was also taking supplements from GNC for weight gain according to her update -

Not, that I have any inside information, but to me that might be the issue more than the meds since the NCAA deals with medication issues all the time

And GNC otc supplements are notorious for containing banned substances on the NCAA list

How does a college athlete not have access to NCAA-safe supplements??? The coaching staff has to know he is trying to add weight. Wouldn’t the program get supplements for him? He’s at GNC buying supplements?? Lol

[Dwayne From Minden]

How does a college athlete not have access to NCAA-safe supplements??? The coaching staff has to know he is trying to add weight. Wouldn’t the program get supplements for him? He’s at GNC buying supplements?? Lol

There is no excuse -

If you read the statement, this was in addition to regular regime

That's why I don't buy into the script excuse - even in high school sports we had to provide script list, and when my son tried to walk on for baseball and football at SAU we had to provide a complete list of script meds (severe ADHD)...

[FriscoDawg]

There is no excuse -

If you read the statement, this was in addition to regular regime

That's why I don't buy into the script excuse - even in high school sports we had to provide script list, and when my son tried to walk on for baseball and football at SAU we had to provide a complete list of script meds (severe ADHD)...

I don't buy it being from a prescription either. There are long-standing procedures to handle prescribed medications.

If he didn't reveal the OTC supplement he was using before he took it, that's all on him.

If he revealed the OTC supplement before taking it and it was cleared, one of two things should happen:
1) If the supplement ingredients were properly labeled, that's on Tech and staff disciplinary action is warranted.
2) If the supplement ingredients were not properly labeled (most likely), then GNC should be sued for the improper labeling. At a minimum, Tech should blacklist all GNC OTC supplements for athletes to avoid this situation going forward.

[LATECH87]

I don't buy it being from a prescription either. There are long-standing procedures to handle prescribed medications.

If he didn't reveal the OTC supplement he was using before he took it, that's all on him.

If he revealed the OTC supplement before taking it and it was cleared, one of two things should happen:
1) If the supplement ingredients were properly labeled, that's on Tech and staff disciplinary action is warranted.
2) If the supplement ingredients were not properly labeled (most likely), then GNC should be sued for the improper labeling. At a minimum, Tech should blacklist all GNC OTC supplements for athletes to avoid this situation going forward.

So do we think he is out of the rest of the season?

[Dwayne From Minden]

So do we think he is out of the rest of the season?

Yep

[FriscoDawg]

This is from the 2020-2021 Student Athlete Handbook still linked on the Tech athletics website. This section covers consequences of a positive test result.

Unless this policy has changed in the last two years, the head coach has full discretion over the penalty for a first positive test result.

6. Response to Positive Results:

A). First Positive: The student-athlete will be required to meet with an appointed Louisiana Tech University counselor after the positive test is returned to the department. The penalties for a first positive test will be at the respective head coach's discretion. The penalties may include: suspension, scholarship reduction or any additional disciplinary stipulations deemed necessary by the head coach. The student-athlete may be tested at any time the Department of Athletics deems necessary and until the banned substance isn’t detected during testing. If any new usage is detected, it will result in a second positive test.

B). Second Positive: If the student-athlete tests positive a second time during his/her career at Louisiana Tech University, he/she will be suspended from the team for 15% of the regular season contests in which he/she would be eligible to compete. The suspension will begin immediately and run concurrently. He/she may be permitted to attend practice, weight training, study hall, educational sessions, and any additional life-skill sessions the athletic department conducts. The student-athlete must also be enrolled as a full-time student during the traditional fall, winter, spring, and summer (if applicable) quarters during the academic year of the suspension period. Upon completion of the suspension the student-athlete will be allowed to return to his/her chosen sport(s) at the discretion of the head sport coach provided they test negative on a drug screening test or no new usage is detected. If this test detects new usage, the student-athlete will garner a third positive result.

C). Third Positive: If the student-athlete tests positive a third time during his/her career at Louisiana Tech University, he/she will be suspended from the team for all competition occurring during 365 consecutive calendar days. The suspension will begin immediately and run concurrently. He/she may be permitted to attend practice, weight training, study hall, educational sessions, and any additional life-skill sessions the athletic department conducts. The student-athlete must also be enrolled as a full-time student during the traditional fall, winter, spring, summer (if applicable) quarters during the academic year of the suspension period. Upon completion of the suspension the student-athlete will be allowed to return to his/her chosen sport(s) at the discretion of the head sport coach provided they test negative on a drug screening test or no new usage is detected. If this test detects new usage, the student-athlete will
garner a fourth positive result.

D). Failure to Adhere: Should the student-athlete fail to adhere with any of the stipulations set forth for a positive drug screen he/she will be charged with a subsequent positive drug screen and will be required to adhere to those guidelines.

E). Positive Test Forgiveness: If a student-athlete has either one (1) or two (2) positive drug tests on their record, he/she is eligible to have one (1) removed after a period of two (2) calendar years from their most recent positive result. This is pending he/she has maintained compliance with the LA Tech Drug Testing Policy during this time. Positive test forgiveness is only permitted once during a student-athlete’s career.

[Dwayne From Minden]

This is from the 2020-2021 Student Athlete Handbook still linked on the Tech athletics website. This section covers consequences of a positive test result.

Unless this policy has changed in the last two years, the head coach has full discretion over the penalty for a first positive test result.

6. Response to Positive Results:

A). First Positive: The student-athlete will be required to meet with an appointed Louisiana Tech University counselor after the positive test is returned to the department. The penalties for a first positive test will be at the respective head coach's discretion. The penalties may include: suspension, scholarship reduction or any additional disciplinary stipulations deemed necessary by the head coach. The student-athlete may be tested at any time the Department of Athletics deems necessary and until the banned substance isn’t detected during testing. If any new usage is detected, it will result in a second positive test.

B). Second Positive: If the student-athlete tests positive a second time during his/her career at Louisiana Tech University, he/she will be suspended from the team for 15% of the regular season contests in which he/she would be eligible to compete. The suspension will begin immediately and run concurrently. He/she may be permitted to attend practice, weight training, study hall, educational sessions, and any additional life-skill sessions the athletic department conducts. The student-athlete must also be enrolled as a full-time student during the traditional fall, winter, spring, and summer (if applicable) quarters during the academic year of the suspension period. Upon completion of the suspension the student-athlete will be allowed to return to his/her chosen sport(s) at the discretion of the head sport coach provided they test negative on a drug screening test or no new usage is detected. If this test detects new usage, the student-athlete will garner a third positive result.

C). Third Positive: If the student-athlete tests positive a third time during his/her career at Louisiana Tech University, he/she will be suspended from the team for all competition occurring during 365 consecutive calendar days. The suspension will begin immediately and run concurrently. He/she may be permitted to attend practice, weight training, study hall, educational sessions, and any additional life-skill sessions the athletic department conducts. The student-athlete must also be enrolled as a full-time student during the traditional fall, winter, spring, summer (if applicable) quarters during the academic year of the suspension period. Upon completion of the suspension the student-athlete will be allowed to return to his/her chosen sport(s) at the discretion of the head sport coach provided they test negative on a drug screening test or no new usage is detected. If this test detects new usage, the student-athlete will
garner a fourth positive result.

D). Failure to Adhere: Should the student-athlete fail to adhere with any of the stipulations set forth for a positive drug screen he/she will be charged with a subsequent positive drug screen and will be required to adhere to those guidelines.

E). Positive Test Forgiveness: If a student-athlete has either one (1) or two (2) positive drug tests on their record, he/she is eligible to have one (1) removed after a period of two (2) calendar years from their most recent positive result. This is pending he/she has maintained compliance with the LA Tech Drug Testing Policy during this time. Positive test forgiveness is only permitted once during a student-athlete’s career.

Wouldn't PEDs fall under the NCAA guidelines for suspensions and not the university's policy

I think that policy is dealing with narcotics and weed and not PEDs