Steroids and supplements
(July 2007)
The topical issue of steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements is tackled by two campus professionals who work with young, talented athletes — just the people most vulnerable to using steroids and supplements.
Ross Flowers knows about the challenges of competition as a student-athlete, a coach — and a sports psychologist. He directs the campus sports psychology program for Counseling and Psychology Services.
With him is Andy Bloom, who spent nearly a decade as a world-class shot putter, winning national collegiate titles and competing in the 2000 Olympics. Now he is helping UC Davis transition to Division I athletics as our first full-time strength and conditioning coach.
Related news
- "Halfway to Division I and a new era," Dateline UC Davis, 9.16.05
- "Strength coach," NewsWatch, 11.7.04 (Real Media video)
- "Experts' perspective: Trained eyes examine physical, mental aspects of Tour de France," Dateline UC Davis, 7.22.05
- "Ross Flowers counsels the inner athlete," Dateline UC Davis, 3.18.05
- "Sports Psychologist," NewsWatch, 11.7.04 (Real Media video)
Web sites
- The National Center for Drug Free Sport
- NCAA Division I Certification
- UC Davis Athletics
- Flowers and sports psychology
Profiles
Ross Flowers, sports psychologist
Ross Flowers knows about the challenges of competition as a student-athlete, a coach — and a sports psychologist. A PAC-10 champion and All-American hurdler and sprinter during his years at UCLA, Flowers has worked at UC Davis since 2000, helping student-athletes develop positive life skills in order to enhance their performance within and outside of sport.
As the director of the campus sports psychology program for Counseling and Psychology Services, Flowers counsels student-athletes at UC Davis, which is in the midst of a D-I transition.
Flowers says athletes benefit from relaxing and focusing their minds and bodies, managing their time well, and finding positive, supportive relationships.
In high school, Flowers was a Washington state champion and All-American in the 110-meter hurdles. Later, at UCLA, he became an All-American and Pac-10 champion, overcoming the physical, mental and emotional aspects of a serious injury as a freshman.
Contact: Ross Flowers, Counseling and Psychological Services, (530) 752-0871, raflowers@ucdavis.edu
Andy Bloom, strength and conditioning coach
Bloom spent nearly a decade as a world-class shot putter, winning national collegiate titles and competing in the 2000 Olympics. Now he helps UC Davis transition to Division I athletics as the first full-time strength and conditioning coach.
A member of the UC Davis coaching staff since 2000, Bloom joined the Aggie program as an assistant track-and-field coach, working with UC Davis shot-putters and discus throwers.
Prior to coming to UC Davis, Bloom was an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee. The highlight of his track-and-field career was a fourth-place finish in the shot put at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
He is also a two-time U.S. indoor champion in the shot put, finishing first in the event at the 2000 World Grand Prix and 1999 World University Games. In addition, he placed fourth in the shot put at the 1999 World Championships.
Bloom was a two-time Academic All-America selection while a student at Wake Forest University, where he earned NCAA Division I titles in 1996 in both the shot put and discus.
Contact: Andy Bloom, Intercollegiate Athletics, (530) 752-5124, ambloom@ucdavis.edu