Names of staff involved not released

Yavapai Community College is planning some kind of personnel action against at least two members of the College associated with the vaping/alleged drug incident involving College athletes, sources close to the College have indicated.  The names of the staff and the nature of the personnel action the College will take has not been made public.

The personnel action arises out of allegations of drug use and a video tape showing two athletes smoking in the “bull pen” area of the baseball field.

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Players were described as “vaping,” which is generally associated with electronic cigarettes

A videotape of two Yavapai Community College baseball players smoking in the “bullpen area” of the ball field did not support an allegation that they were vaping marijuana, according to sources close to Yavapai College.  Although the full facts have not been disclosed by the College surrounding this incident, “vaping” of any kind is not allowed on Campus.

Vaping is generally defined as “to inhale vapor through the mouth from a battery-operated electronic device (such as an electronic cigarette) that heats up and vaporizes a liquid or solid.”  For example, “This electronic cigarette … contains a small reservoir of liquid nicotine solution that is vaporized to form an aerosol mist. The user `vapes’, or puffs on the vapor, to get a hit of the addictive nicotine  —John Tierney.”

It is not clear what kind of device the players were using, if any, when they were photographed vaping. One possibility is that a Vape Pen was being used.  We can at this point only speculate. Vape Pens are associated with electronic cigarettes and also marijuana, according to Rolling Stone Magazine, “Are Weed Vape Pens Safe?  https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/are-weed-vape-pens-safe-w507084. These pens are used because the smoking is “elegant, discreet and nearly odorless.”  Note again, however, that the College apparently found no marijuana associated with the smoking incident and the Blog is unclear on exactly how the smoking was being accomplished.

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Athletic department and campus police administer drug tests as part of investigation; Campus policy says athletes should be immediately suspended if drug test failed; who, if anyone has been suspended is unknown

The Blog has learned that as part of an investigation into alleged drug use among  Yavapai Community College athletes, the Campus police and the athletic department had some players take drug tests.  The Blog has been reliably informed that some of those students tested positive for drugs.  The test results appear to violate Athletic Department Drug Policy 4.2.  According to Community College policy, “athletes who violate this policy will be subject to immediate suspension from all participation in team sports, as well as other discipline.” As a result of the investigation, the Community College has apparently taken some action.  However, the Blog is unaware of any athletes being suspended so far. The College remains mum on the issue.

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College has conducted or is conducting some kind of investigation into possible drug use by athletes

President Penelope Wills assured the Governing Board Thursday that her decision to retire had nothing to do with a drug use investigation at Yavapai Community College.  It has become clear that the College has conducted and may be continuing to conduct an investigation into posssible drug use among some athletes.  The nature and extent of the investigation has not been revealed.

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