UM athlete pleads guilty to possession of steroids

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BANGOR – University of Maine football player Stephen Cooper denied ever using steroids in a prepared statement issued Thursday after he pleaded guilty in United States District Court to possessing more than 1,200 pills of anabolic steroids.

Cooper, however, admitted in the statement that he intended to use the drug after the season “to try and get faster and stronger and enhance my chances of fulfilling my lifelong dream of playing professional football.”

“I have never taken steroids or performance-enhancing drugs,” said Cooper, 23, in his written statement distributed to the media by his attorney, Terrence Harrigan of Bangor. “I have worked tremendously hard on my own and under the guidance of UMaine’s strength conditioning coaches for five years. I have been tested frequently throughout my five years for steroids. Each and every test has been negative for the presence of steroids.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk released Cooper on his own recognizance, but ordered him subject to random drug testing, a standard condition of bail. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail, and-or a minimum fine of $1,000 and one year of probation. Because he has no criminal record, the UMaine senior may not face jail time, but could be sentenced to community service, according to Harrigan.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Perry told the judge that “no promises had been made” concerning what sentence his office would recommend after the completion of a presentencing report. That report usually takes about 45 days to complete.

In his statement, Cooper said that he had been “working with the authorities, telling them all I know and being forthright, truthful and cooperative” about how he obtained the pills. As of Thursday morning, however, no other charges had been filed in the Nov. 1 incident when Maine State Police discovered the pills in Cooper’s duffel bag after the car he was a passenger in was stopped for speeding on Interstate 95.

Outside the courtroom, Harrigan said that Cooper would not be returning to the university next semester, but, instead, would attend a predraft combine for athletes hoping to get selected in the National Football League draft in April. Cooper has not enrolled in classes for the spring 2003 semester, according to university spokesman Joe Carr.

Cooper is a two-time Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year and, for the second straight year, is in the running for the Buck Buchanan Award that goes to the best defensive player in Division I-AA.

He also was named the recipient of the George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award given to the top defensive player in New England by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston.

Cooper’s case has been referred to David Fiacco, director of judicial affairs at UMaine, Carr said Thursday. Possession, use or sale of illegal drugs or paraphernalia is a violation of the university’s Code of Conduct. Violators face sanctions ranging from fines to suspension and expulsion.

Carr said Fiacco could elect to determine whether Cooper violated the Code of Conduct and deal out sanctions himself or suggest that a committee be formed to handle the case.

Cooper will have the right to appeal the sanctions.

In his statement, the All-America linebacker for the Black Bears took responsibility and apologized for his actions.

“I’ve let down a lot of people – my coaches, my family, my teammates, and the University and its fans,” the statement read. “To all, I want to say how truly sorry I am for disappointing you and making such a bad choice. All I can say is that it was wrong.”

Maine football coach Jack Cosgrove said he has been advised by university officials not to comment on the situation.

“I’ve been told to refer everything to Joe Carr,” said Cosgrove.

But interim athletic director Paul Bubb said, “I’m glad Stephen has felt comfortable coming forward and making a statement.”

Cooper played in four games, including two playoff games, after the pills had been detected. He was not suspended.

Carr said that “it hadn’t been verified” that the pills were steroids, which may explain the fact that he wasn’t suspended.

“President [Peter] Hoff is looking into that now,” said Carr.

Bubb said that long before Cooper was stopped, he and his coaches discussed the need for a better drug education program.

“You can never do enough in terms of substance abuse education,” said Bubb. “It’s an ongoing educational process that we are committed to doing. It is going to take time to put together a well-balanced program.”

He said alcohol abuse would be included.

The university doesn’t have its own drug-testing program but Bubb said, “It’s important for us to have one,” and he intends to implement such a program to complement the drug education program.

The NFL has a strict drug policy and steroids are on the list of banned substances.

All players are tested at least once a year, usually in preseason, but other random testing is also conducted. If a player has prior steroid involvement, he stands a good chance of being tested more frequently.

Players who test positive for steroids the first time receive a four-game suspension; a second positive test results in a six-game suspension, and a third positive test would result in a minimum one-year suspension.

Players are not paid during suspensions.

At 6 feet 1 inch tall, 230 pounds, Cooper might be considered on the small side for an NFL linebacker although the trend in recent years is toward smaller, quicker linebackers such as All-Pro selections Zach Thomas of Miami and Derrick Brooks of Tampa Bay. Thomas is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 235 pounds and Brooks is 6 feet tall, 235 pounds.