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N-G EXCLUSIVE: Random drug tests, mixed results at UI

It can happen any place, at any time — after football two-a-days at Camp Rantoul or Friday night's volleyball season opener at Huff Hall.

Random drug testing of athletes is as much a part of the university experience as pregame pep talks and postgame press conferences.

Mandated by the NCAA at championship events since 1986, year-round testing is left up to individual schools to set up and administer. The UI's athletic department uses a program that generates random names for each test, said Paul Schmidt, sports medicine director.

Testing is based on the schedule of practices and games, Schmidt said.