Aire Justin's Career At WSU Ends With Substance Violation

by Jeff Nusser on Apr 29, 2011 10:08 PM PDT in 2011 WSU Football News

Well, here's a fun bit of news for a Friday: Cornerback Aire Justin's career at WSU has officially come to an end because of a violation of the NCAA's banned substance policy, according to the school. Any violation carries a minimum 365-day penalty from the date of the failed test, and he had only one year of eligibility remaining.

Because of privacy laws, no information was released about the substance in question. But Paul Wulff's statement makes it clear it was some sort of supplement issue:

"Aire made a big mistake by not following the guidelines our athletic department has in place," Paul Wulff said in the school's release. "This is not the way we want our team to operate. This is an issue I take very seriously and will continue to educate our student-athletes on proper nutrition and strongly reinforce to all our student-athletes the importance of following departmental procedures."

This isn't a huge blow for the Cougars, as Justin was likely to begin camp as a backup corner behind the likes of Damante Horton and Nolan Washington. Justin had shown flashes of productivity, particularly in terms of interceptions, but it was questionable whether he could truly push for a starting spot.

However, let's all be honest: A team trying to rebuild from the very bottom can't afford to lose any talent whatsoever. The depth just isn't there yet.

Another fun fact! This marks the second such violation for WSU in the last 18 months -- then-defensive-lineman-now-offensive-lineman Dan Spitz tested positive late in the 2009 season. Raise your hand if you can remember another school having even one violation.

Me either.

Sigh.

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I wouldn't worry about the "no other schools have this problem" thing.

I’m pretty sure if, say, OSU had a suspension for something like this, they would say the exact same thing. It just isn’t big news. As far as our corners go, the only thing that will take a real hit is the coolness of the names (always very important). Also remember, though that he was returning punts for most of the season.

One question: what happened to Daniel Simmons? I think he got hurt at the end of the year last year and I haven’t heard his name since.

As a side note, does anyone else notice how freaky his tricep looks in the picture?

Attractive, Intelligent, Short Attention Span, Timbers Fan Reader

by Coug999 on Apr 29, 2011 10:14 PM PDT reply actions

He messed his shoulder up real bad during a walkthrough last year.

Because of the injury and ensuing rehab, he missed the spring. He should be back for the fall, though.

CougCenter

by Brian Floyd on Apr 29, 2011 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I did a google search of "washington huskies banned substance," "oregon ducks banned substance," etc.

For the entire Pac-10. Nothing turned up. “Washington state banned substance”? Shows both Spitz and Justin. This is something that would make the news if it had happened.

CougCenter | SB Nation Seattle | @NussCoug

by Jeff Nusser on Apr 30, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I had a whole post

talking about why Jordan/Spitz might have done what they done but then I realized that, after re-reading it, my first thought was… Duh!

So let me try this… Do you have any thoughts on why we have more violations than other schools? And are you concerned or annoyed?

I’m honestly not trying to give you a hard time but it seems like you’ve got something on your mind and I’m a little bit (more) slow today.

by All Cougar all the time on Apr 30, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

The local Palouse GNC

must be the only GNC that laces their supplements with Androstene.

"I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf." Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or artificial turf

by SoCalCoug on Apr 30, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

My guess is that

You have a lot of “project” guys. Those types that need more size to reach the potential.

by B Money on Apr 30, 2011 11:55 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

I don't know what's on the NCAA's list of banned substances ...

… and I refuse to open another window to look it up, but I imagine that some common supplements and over the counter medicines contain the aforementioned banned substances. There’s no way to know for sure what anyone took, but I like to think that college athletes aren’t dumb enough to inject a gallon of roids these days. And yeah, I know that’s naive.

by Jeff in MD on May 1, 2011 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Mostly just annoyed.

Either nobody else is using banned substances, or everyone else is smart enough not to get caught. I just think it’s amazing that you never hear of this with any other school, and we’ve had two.

CougCenter | SB Nation Seattle | @NussCoug

by Jeff Nusser on May 1, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Not to worried about the PR position.

We have Dockery coming in and Eaddy can return punts. I am sure Kristoff Williams and Barton can as well. To bad Bomber got hurt, because I had a feeling is was going to challenge for PR duties. He would have been Joe Jarzynka style.

We only have one CB in the incoming class Spencer Waseem and I heard he is a good player. I wonder if any of the WRs will be converted to a CB.

"I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf." Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or artificial turf

by SoCalCoug on Apr 30, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions