Drury University Must Vacate Division II Championship Because of NCAA Violation of Caffeine Level
The Drury University men’s swimming and diving team was forced to vacate its 2025 NCAA Division II National Championship because of a single positive test for caffeine beyond the NCAA’s allowable limit during the D-II national meet in Indianapolis in March.
The NCAA requires levels of caffeine to be less than 15 micrograms per milliliter.
So what does that mean?
According to a Speed Endurance report, a standard drip coffee has around 100 mg per 8 oz cup (250 ml), and 100 mg of caffeine equates to approximately 1.5 mcg/mL in the urine, meaning an athlete would have to take the equivalent of 10 cups of regular coffee in the span of an hour to reach the NCAA limit.
“While I’m disappointed for our team, I am still very proud of what we accomplished this year, both in the pool and the classroom,” Drury coach Brian Reynolds said in a news release.
Reynolds completed his 42nd year leading the Panthers swim program in 2025.
Drury did not disclose which swimmer had the violation, but with the loss in points earned by the that swimmer in both individual and relay events at the NCAA Championship, Drury’s point total dropped the Panthers from the top spot in the final team standings.
In addition to the reduction of points at this year’s national championship, the penalty for a student-athlete’s positive test includes an individual one-year suspension for the 2025-26 academic year and the loss of a year of athletic eligibility, the release stated.
NCAA student-athletes are subject to random drug testing throughout the year. Drug testing also occurs during NCAA championship events, and the drug classes tested for are expanded to include, among other elements, levels of caffeine beyond 15 micrograms per milliliter.
“Our swimming and diving program has always been committed to competing at a national championship level and, at the same time, upholding the highest standards of integrity and academic excellence,” Drury Vice President and Director of Athletics Nyla Milleson said in the release. “This incident does not change that, and Drury swimming and diving will continue to strive toward those ideals, while educating and preparing our student-athletes for competition at the highest level, as it has for nearly five decades.”
