End of an Era at USADA

After seven years and four months as its chief executive officer, Terry Madden recently left the United States Anti-Doping Agency, an organization he built from the ground up, for destinations unknown.

“It was time,” he said simply of his departure at the end of August. He left having accomplished the goals he established for himself at the outset of his tenure. “I believe we have restored the confidence of the world in the integrity of our Olympic athletes, and fulfilled all of the mandates which we were given when USADA was created.”

It was a total surprise to him when, on a March day in 2000 during the organization meeting of the new board of directors, he was approached by the just elected board chairman Frank Shorter and board member Dr. Ralph Hale to determine whether he would have an interest in becoming USADA’s first staff leader. At that time, Madden was chief of staff to United States Olympic Committee President Bill Hybl. He had also been serving as staff liaison to the Select Task Force on Externalization which recommended the creation of a testing agency independent of the USOC.

“I needed two or three days to think about it,” Madden remembers. “I knew the need for an independent agency, but I was concerned about my abilities to do all that needed to be done.”

“Thankfully, he took the job,” says Hale, who succeeded Shorter as board chair in 2003. “Terry took over an organization that, at best, was only a concept at the beginning, but one which was greatly needed by U.S. sport. He has developed that organization into the premier anti-doping agency in the world today. He gained the respect of sport both nationally and internationally, as well as that of Congress and the administration. His tasks were difficult and his path often full of roadblocks, but he persisted and overcame all of the obstacles. The USADA is what it is today because of his diligence, intelligence and perseverance.”

For his part, Madden is equally thankful for his board. “They have been wonderful to work with from day one,” he says. “No agendas; just a desire to provide guidance and get the job done.”

Madden’s first two tasks at USADA were to assemble a staff that had the abilities and dedication to achieve his goals, and to put in place the funding that was necessary to support it.

“We needed to find and attract people who were competent in the areas of science and education, and at the outset outside people who had the knowledge and interest to help us develop our testing protocols and procedures, and to get athlete input. We were very fortunate to have Dr. Larry Bowers, who had directed the IOC-accredited laboratory in Indianapolis, join USADA as our science director, and Rich Young, from Colorado Springs, help develop our protocols. Those were key additions. But every member of our staff has played a role in developing the organization into the leader it has become in the worldwide anti-doping effort.”

The issue of financial support that existed from the beginning has been one that required constant attention through USADA’s development and evolution. Although the responsibilities assigned to USADA by the task force were significantly expanded over those assumed by the USOC’s anti-doping program, the USOC’s financial commitment to USADA was roughly similar to the resources devoted to its own program.

“Our budget for the first year was $6.7 million,” Madden recalls, “of which $3.7 million came from the USOC. Today, our budget is $13 million plus. Little did I know that we would need that level of funding.”

The growth of financial resources has been provided principally by the Federal Government. In the first several years it came through a grant arranged by then Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell through the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Subsequently, through Madden’s effective leadership and USADA’s growing reputation as a worldwide leader in the anti-doping effort, other members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have become supporters.

“What we do isn’t the kind of activity which draws corporate sponsorship,” Madden says, “so the confidence of Congress has been of great importance to our progress.”

That confidence extends globally in the battle against performance-enhancing drugs.

“Thanks to Terry’s commitment to clean sport, the situation in the United States in relation to anti-doping has undergone a profound sea change,” says David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency. “Under Terry’s leadership, USADA has been established not simply as a highly effective and professional organization, but more significantly as a world leader among national anti-doping organizations.”

Leadership Changes, Commitment Stays the Same

You could make the case that Travis T. Tygart, who took over the reins as USADA chief executive officer in September, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency were made for each other.

“Sports have always been an important part of my life,” Tygart says. “I was fortunate to play on two Florida state high school championship teams (one each in baseball and basketball), and I coached and taught at the high school level for three years before going to law school. The opportunity I’ve had at USADA to be involved in an undertaking that protects athletes and the integrity of sport has been very gratifying.”

“When I decided to move on, appointing Travis as my successor was the easiest decision the board ever made,” says Madden.

Hale echoes Madden’s comment. “Travis has been involved with USADA’s mission from the very beginning. He has proved himself to be a very competent and capable person, and he has the experience to move into the role of CEO and continue to move USADA forward in providing outstanding leadership.”

Recognizing the outstanding work that marked Madden’s term and the stature that USADA has achieved on the worldwide anti-doping stage, Tygart still sees his new responsibilities as a demanding but stimulating undertaking.

“I think we are at a defining moment in the battle against performance-enhancing drugs,” he says. “The International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee took courageous steps in creating independent agencies and a lot of progress has been made, but there is still a lot to do as we work to further expose and fix the problem so that clean athletes can be successful. It is still an evolving effort.”

 

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