E.T.

Best wishes to you and the family.

Go BULLS !!!

Normal,

I think most agree that this is a "Being a MAN" issue !

The money issue is/was buying a condom !

High Schools Struggling With Steroid Use    

Thu Mar 25, 5:58 PM ET  

By ROB GLOSTER, AP Sports Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - High schools nationwide are struggling with rising steroid use, not just among football linemen battling for college scholarships but also among non-athletes who think bigger biceps will make them more popular.

Most schools cannot afford the costly tests for detecting illegal bodybuilding drugs. Even those that test for marijuana and cocaine do not check for steroids, which are potentially more destructive.

"For a small district to do this kind of testing would be cost-prohibitive," said Joseph Wilimek, school superintendent for Angels Camp.

At Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, all student-athletes and cheerleaders take urine tests for marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs each season, costing the district about $9,000. Checking for steroids would cost an additional $44,000.

That would be enough money to pay for another teacher, Wilimek said. "Right now our priority is keeping staff  we've had to lay off three teachers and reduce our administrative staff already," he said.

Steroids soared in popularity among high school students  girls and boys  after Mark McGwire hit a major league-record 70 home runs in 1998 while using the supplement androstenedione, a steroid precursor.

In a recent national survey of steroid use, 3.5 percent of high school seniors responding reported they have used steroids at least once, up from 2.1 percent in 1991.

Those figures do not include users of over-the-counter supplements such as andro or the more popular creatine, which are much cheaper than steroids.

"There was a big increase when Mark McGwire broke the home run record. Of course he was using andro, but that may have been a distinction lost on a lot of the kids," said Lloyd Johnston, who led the University of Michigan survey of 50,000 teenagers. "If you're looking at a classroom of 30 boys, one of them is using steroids."

Johnston said steroid use is more prevalent among boys than girls, among whites than blacks and among non-college-bound students than those who plan to attend college. Many of the high school kids who use them are apparently non-athletes simply hoping to appear more buff.

Steroid use appears to be much higher in some parts of the country, particularly the South. In a 2001 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11.2 percent of Louisiana high school boys surveyed reported using steroids, and 5.7 percent of Tennessee high school girls did.

Steroids' side effects can include heart disease, liver damage and rage. They can also stunt growth, shrink testicles and cause girls to grow facial hair.

Many high schools use an NCAA-approved test for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamine that costs about $22, plus collecting and handling expenses. But a steroid test costs $50 to $100, not counting collecting and handling.

Few school districts are willing to spend that kind of money.

In Florida, state Rep. Marcelo Llorente wants high school athletes to undergo mandatory testing for steroids. His bill, which would require each county to randomly test at least 5 percent of its athletes, was approved unanimously this week by a legislative subcommittee.

To reduce the cost, Llorente wants the tests to be done for about $33 each by the University of Florida veterinary laboratory that now tests samples from horses and greyhounds.

"I played three sports in high school and had the opportunity to play Division I baseball," said Llorente, who attended Tulane University. "I knew people who used performance-enhancing drugs. Young people don't understand the drastic consequences of using steroids."

In California, state Sen. Jackie Speier has introduced legislation to ban the sale of supplements such as andro to teens. She convened a Senate hearing Thursday to focus on the possibility of state-mandated testing and other ways to fight high school use of steroids and supplements.

"We teach kids not to take candy from strangers, but how many know not to take performance-enhancers from their friends and mentors?" she asked.

Among those testifying at the hearing was Kevin Will, 16, a junior quarterback at Del Oro High in Sacramento. He said coaches have warned the team not to use cocaine or marijuana, but he was never told not to use steroids.

And while he was never pressured by coaches to use steroids, he said, "I was told by friends and coaches I can play on the college level, but I have to get bigger." Will, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 168 pounds, said he has never taken steroids.

One of the few school systems checking for steroids is the relatively wealthy Paradise Valley district in Phoenix, where random tests have been conducted since 1992. The $50 tests are administered to students involved in everything from football to cheerleading and badminton.

Students participating in sports must sign a drug-testing consent form. Positive tests result in a suspension of 18 weeks from the sport for a first offense and a permanent suspension for a second offense. Results are not shared with law enforcement officials.

"The additional cost of testing for steroids is well worth it if we can protect our kids," district spokeswoman Judi Willis said. "We

USF's Fisher Arrested

By JACK SHEPPARD

Published March 26, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brian Fisher, USF's all-purpose football player and last year's offensive most valuable player, was arrested Monday by campus police on an outstanding warrant for delinquent child support payments.

He was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail where he was booked and released after posting $570.

According to the USF arrest report, Fisher was wanted by officials in Pensacola and was arrested at 7:53 a.m. in Parking Lot 35 on the USF campus. Fisher attended Pine Forest High School in Pensacola. As with any campus arrest, the case will be reported to Student Affairs.

He has not attended spring workouts this week, according to USF sports information director John Gerdes.

"We are continuing to look into the situation," Gerdes said, "and he will not practice until we are satisfied with the outcome."

A senior next season who has practiced at running back during spring drills, Fisher played numerous positions for the Bulls last season, including quarterback, running back and wide receiver as well as returning punts and kickoffs. He finished the season as the team's third-leading scorer and ranked fourth in rushing yards, third in passing yards, third in receiving yards, first in punt returns and second in kickoff returns.

[Last modified March 26, 2004, 01:20:43]

What the F is goin' on !?!?

USF WR Fisher Arrested

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Mar 26, 2004

TAMPA - South Florida senior wide receiver Brian Fisher was arrested Monday by USF police because of outstanding warrants in Escambia County stating that Fisher owes two women nearly $17,500 in delinquent child support payments.

Fisher owes Shacondra Primm, who gave birth to Deaveon Fisher Primm on Jan. 30, 2001, $11,742 plus interest; and Sarida McWilliams, who gave birth to Khazyren McWilliams on Dec. 10, 2001, $5,744 plus interest.

Ordered by the Escambia County court in 2001 to make weekly payments of $69.50 to Primm and $48 to McWilliams until each child turns 18, Fisher has not made a payment to either woman, an Escambia County child support spokeswoman said.

Fisher graduated from Escambia County's Pensacola Pine Forest High in 2001.

USF coach Jim Leavitt said Fisher told him of the incident but had no further comment. Fisher, 21, could not be reached for comment.

USF associate athletic director Steve Horton said he was not notified by Fisher of the arrest, meaning he may have violated the school's Code of Conduct policy - failure to notify the head coach and Horton within 24 hours can result in a two-game suspension.

After Monday's arrest, the incident was referred to USF's student affairs, a USF police spokesman said. Fisher also received a Feb. 21 citation for driving with a revoked/suspended driver's license, a Hillsborough County state attorney's spokeswoman said.

Fisher was USF's most versatile player last year, starting 10 games at receiver and one at quarterback, while also returning punts.

He needs to take care of priorities ... I consider him gone.

NFL loves speed ... let's hope they take a chance on them thinking they were not untilized by our offense.

Go BULLS !!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG: Although Pat Julmiste winning the starting quarterback position has been the biggest news of spring football practice, a number of players have stood out with spring drills one-third completed, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

Leavitt praised the play of USF's two-deep at linebackers - Devon Davis and Ronnie McCullough (middle), Stephen Nicholas and Ben Moffitt (strong) and Patrick St. Louis and Josh Balloon (weak).

Leavitt said others having good springs are DT Lee Roy Selmon Jr., DEs Craig Kobel and Tavarious Robinson, CB D'Juan Brown, WR J.B. Garris and K Santiago Gramatica.

Leavitt said FS Javan Camon, who has to replace Reed, has been among the biggest surprises.

I think our Front Seven will EXPLODE on Pitt !

Go BULLS !!!

Bulls QB Moves To Safety

Published: Mar 26, 2004

TAMPA - A day after USF's Cedric King moved from receiver to quarterback, David Mullins moved from quarterback to safety.

``We talked to David and are trying to give him his best shot to get on the field, because he's worked hard and is a pretty good athlete,'' quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said.

King, who will be a junior in the fall, had an impressive debut in his first day under center.

``He did a good job. I was very pleased with him,'' Smith said after Wednesday's practice. ``We want to see what Cedric's athleticism will give us at quarterback.

``He's limited, obviously, because he still has to learn everything from a quarterback standpoint. But he knows the system through a wideout's perspective.''

Smith said King will stay at quarterback through the end of the spring, but an eventual move back to receiver is possible.

ODDS AND ENDS: RB Clenton Crossley remained limited with a shoulder bruise, and RB Billy Henderson will undergo an MRI on his knee Friday.

``We're going to have to wait and see on Billy,'' running backs coach Carl Franks said. ``I don't like the way he's walking around right now, but we should know something shortly.''

Gregg Becnel

This isn't a shock and I see Kings move as just an expeiment with Kraky being a #3 guy.

Go BULLS !!!

Thanx AGAIN Howie !

Just another wonder of the world of great HS players ... I hope that the staff hasn't given up on Kraky as an athlete ... was suppose to be a great safety ... also.

Maybe the injury and his time away and learning a college system also had something to do with it.  ???

Great Size.

Go BULLS !!!

Let's hope we have 3 BULLS drafted.

Go BULLS !!!

I'm sure he's an English soccer fan

Julmiste Is USF's No. 1 QB

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Mar 24, 2004

TAMPA - South Florida coach Jim Leavitt planned to name a starting quarterback by the end of spring practice, but he needed only a week to name sophomore Pat Julmiste the starter Tuesday.

``Pat is the No. 1 quarterback for this football team,'' Leavitt said. ``[senior] Ronnie [banks] is No. 2 because he's not able to practice. Ronnie has to beat him out. After those two, it's wide open.''

Leavitt also said junior Cedric King has been moved from wide receiver to quarterback. The younger brother of former Bucs QB Shaun King, Cedric King played quarterback for three years at Gibbs High.

``He's a playmaker,'' Leavitt said.

Defensively, tackle Lee Roy Selmon Jr., linebackers Devon Davis and Stephen Nicholas, cornerback Kenny Robinson and free safety Javan Camon have been the most impressive, defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz said.

``I'm really pleased with Devon, he's taken some leadership,'' Kravitz said.

Because of injuries, the Bulls had only three running backs Tuesday - Trae Williams and Craig Lloyd and walk-on Anthony Gaines.

This obviously means to me that Kraky & Mullins are outta the picture. King played a little last year (1 game) and Mullins nevre did. I BULLieve Mullins played safety in HS, maybe he'll move there to give us some depth. But he has been in the system and probably will stay there for emergency backup.

Go BULLS !!!

USF On Rascati's List

Published: Mar 24, 2004

If USF is interested, the Bulls could land Louisville quarterback Justin Rascati, his father Michael said Tuesday.

A two-time all-state quarterback at Gainesville Buchholz, Justin was granted his release from Louisville on Monday. Michael said his son is considering USF, UCF and five Division I-AA schools.

UCF already has offered Justin a scholarship; USF has not, Michael said. Justin would have to sit out the 2004 season at a I-A school, leaving two years of eligibility.

``USF is on our list and Coach [Jim] Leavitt knows Justin's looking to transfer,'' said Michael, who called Leavitt twice in the past two months. ``Coach Leavitt said he wants to go through spring ball and see what he ends up with at QB.

``I'm not upset at all with USF. If they have a need, they can call us. I don't need to call any more. It's up to them.''

Rascati said his son would complete spring drills at Louisville and wouldn't make a decision until late April. Brett McMurphy

Speaking of which ... where did Caleb end up at ... he has left the BULLS, correct?

Howie's the MAN !

the first of several others whose names will be announced next month.  Heard some pretty impressive names mentioned of possible transfers-should know soon-Bulls will look good in the NBE.

Have any school names for hints?

I would want him and BULLieve he would pick us over "them" ... we have a system better suited and "they" are still unknown system. . . and I would say they have "names" at QB position already.

AND we're a better team  ;D

Good Point ... Graber did always seem good to USF

I BULLieve so

I think Sapp will get himself in great shape and make it to the Pro Bowl next season.

I would say our chances are VERY GOOD !!!

Go BULLS !!!

Thanx for the updates ... suprised Coach Graber would trade Rubin.

I agree with you Mike, the reason I'm suprised is that he was clocked so fast here.

Football Speed IS most important.