Steroid confirmation adds to advisers’ challenge

Steering teens away from performance enhancers is tough task for educators.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

Gregory Cooper, Canfield High’s athletic director, doesn’t consider himself a huge major league baseball fan.

Still, he considers news of the baseball stars linked to steroids and Human Growth Hormone in Thursday’s Mitchell Report as “heartbreaking,” especially for those who try to steer teenagers away from performance-enhancing drugs.

Cooper said it’s impossible for anyone to put “a numerical figure on the percentage” of high school athletes who may have used steroids.

Cooper, who came to Canfield after working for the United States Naval Academy, is hoping that the Mitchell Report will give high school officials another tool to warn teens on the danger of performance-enhancing drugs.

“For us to have our heads in the sand on this issue would be a mistake,” Cooper said. “If it’s proven that pro athletes are using, then it’s a reasonable assumption that it exists at the next level down — college.”

Former major league outfielder Andy Kosco, who spent 10 seasons with seven teams, including the Twins, said the Steroid Era has turned him off the game.

“I don’t go to games any more,” said Kosco, who operates an insurance agency in Boardman.

“I’m happy all this came out, but I feel for the young players today and what’s ahead of them.

“I guess that it is just a way of life today.”

Cooper said to expect students to not be exposed to the temptations of steroids or HGH “is simplistic or foolish.

“Our job is to educate them to the dangers of stimulants,” said Cooper, who added that student athletes who use steroids or HGH violate the student-athlete pledges that all athletes must take. Alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs are covered and those caught violating pledges are subject to suspensions.

Testing for performance-enhancing drugs is not mandated by the Ohio High School Athletic Association and most don’t, primarily because of the expense, Cooper said.

It’s one thing for professional athletes who are willing to take health risks in hopes of earning millions of dollars. Cooper said school officials worry about athletes who take risks to add 30 to 40 pounds of muscle in hopes of playing in college.

“That’s dangerous and kids don’t always have the perspective” about long-term health effects, said Cooper, citing atrophied testicles, acne and “roid rage.”

Cooper called them “lifetime risks for a year or two of sports glory that can be fleeting.”

Kosco expressed concern for parents of young athletes.

“I have really mixed feelings because of the message that this sends to young ball players,” he said. “If you were a parent would you want your kids being subjected to drugs in college or high school?”

X Vindicator sports reporter Pete Mollica contributed to this story.