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| Football player charged
for steroids, more arrests soon |
by Brad Norman
Senior Staff Writer
by Hugh Kellenberger
Staff Writer
Michael V. Porter, a member of the Appalachian State University
football team, was arrested and charged Feb. 16 with alleged possession
with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver anabolic steroids and
conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act. All four are
class H felony charges.
Porter, 23, was released on bond Feb. 17, according to Watauga County
Jail officials. Bond was set at $6,000.
His first court appearance is scheduled for March 24 in Watauga
County District Court.
“If convicted, he stands to serve some time,” Sgt. Jim
Wilson of the Boone Police Department said.
The investigation began two months ago, Sgt. Andy LeBeau said. The
narcotics unit received information, but not from the Crimestoppers
program, LeBeau said. The arrest was made at 105 Oak Grove Road
in Boone, Porter's girlfriend's residence.
The Hickory Police Department Narcotics Unit assisted in the investigation,
providing an undercover officer, Sgt. Chris LaCarter of the Hickory
Narcotics Unit said.
The investigation is continuing.
“There will be more arrests,” LeBeau said.
Porter, a starting offensive tackle for the Mountaineers last season,
was suspended indefinitely from the football program Feb. 18, in
accordance with the student-athlete discipline policy.
“Our policy states that for any student-athlete charged with
a felony, they are suspended until the outcome of those charges,”
Director of Athletics Roachel Laney said. “I am disappointed
and disheartened any time a student-athlete makes choices that leads
to a suspension.”
Laney has not been in contact with the Boone Police Department.
“I will, in no way, intervene or interfere with the criminal
process,” Laney said.
Laney said that in the 14 years he has been director of athletics,
there have been three positive tests for steroid use.
“It’s important to note that Porter has not been suspended
because of alleged drug use,” Laney said.
Laney has met with the strength and conditioning coaches, as well
as the football coaches, to see if there are any signs or concerns
of steroid use that they might need to look at and address.
Porter has one year of eligibility remaining. He started every game
last season for the 7-4 Mountaineers.
His bio lists him as the strongest Mountaineer on the roster.
Porter was a selection to the Southern Conference coaches’
All-SoCon second team this fall. This was his first full season
at tackle, after missing all but one game during the 2002 season.
The off-season theme for the Mountaineers is “one team, one
heartbeat.”
“Everybody is on the same page, everyone is held to the same
standards,” senior offensive lineman Brian Billings said of
the team’s mantra.
The team is continuing to run and lift weights four times a week.
“Nothing has really changed,” Billings said. “This
morning we got up and ran like we always do.”
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