Coaches and tokers: Beware

Tennessee State Soccer Association will drug test travel coaches

The state's largest youth soccer organization has implemented a drug-testing program for its travel coaches, making it the first of its kind in the United States.

The Tennessee State Soccer Association will randomly drug test its "select" soccer coaches also called competitive and travel coaches as a proactive measure. The organization has more than 40,000 players from ages 4-19. Approximately 600 select coaches belong to the association, but officials would not comment on how many would be tested.



Cost is $6,000-$8,000

Testing for the 2010-11 season will cost between $6,000 and $8,000, according to the Hendersonville-based association. Background checks for the organization's youth coaches have been commonplace for years, but the organization's move to include drug testing is ahead of its time, according to those involved in youth sports.