Steorids -- Truth Vs. Lies from SPARQ

"TRUTH vs. LIES
Abusing steroids and other performance enhancing drugs have brought down some big names in the big leagues and beyond. No one in our survey fessed up, but about a fifth said they knew at least one teammate who's juiced. Scary.

It would be easy to condemn them. Easy to agree with Travis Tartamella ('06, C, Los Osos HS, Alta Loma, CA) who says players using steroids should "be considered cheaters and banned from baseball." Want to echo the feelings of Drew Rundle, (�06, OF, Bend, OR) that players "should have enough respect for the game not to insult it by using steroids." Easy to tell you the horror stories about what happens to the dopers after their playing days end: cancer-ridden scarecrows, heart attacks before 40, babies with third arms or a barrel against the temple.

That'd be easy because it's all true. It's easy to judge, but it's also easy to understand the temptation the desperation to get out, move up, play on, cash in. Maybe Tyree Hayes (06, P/SS, Tomball, TX) put it best: "If you were a career minor leaguer, and you thought that taking steroids would get you to The Show and make millions, what would you do? I guess it comes down to morals."

What's not easy is when you're deceived, or don't know better (think East Germany) because coaches, managers and trainers don't have your best interests at heart, or that league officials and alumni sometimes care more about the fans' ticket price or a gold medal than a player's drug test.

We hate to preach, so we'll keep it short. There is no risk-free short-cut to success. And the quicker the short cut, the more skeptical you should be. SPARQ stands for high-intensity, explosive, sport-based training. SPARQ stands for working, not wishing. It’s about discovering a love for the gym, a passion for winning, a hatred of giving up, and a discipline that borders on mania.

Most high school athletes play because it’s fun, and they practice what they need to. Others are driven by something else. They hit the weights. They do extra sprints, or hoist a hundred J’s before school. They run the cones, use the SPARQ Power Ball, and watch hours of game tape. But sometimes, they skip the hustle, and look for the quick fix. Every athlete has to find their drive. How far will you go?"