A Texas track and field coach has been banned from the sport for life after administering testosterone to his 16-year-old son at a national junior competition, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Monday.
Michael Vowell, 49, of Richmond, Texas, accepted a lifetime sanction for what USADA described as a “devastating example” of failed responsibility by an athlete support person.
His son, Seth Vowell, received a two-year suspension and was stripped of all results dating back to Dec. 10, 2023, the day he used the prohibited substance at the USATF Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships.
USADA launched its investigation after receiving a tip from a whistleblower.
Officials later confirmed that Michael had applied his own prescription testosterone gel, a banned anabolic agent, to his son during the event. While topical, testosterone is prohibited at all times in competition and training under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
“This case is a devastating example of why it’s so important for athlete support personnel, including coaches and parents, to put athlete well-being above all else, especially when involving minors,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart in a statement. “And when they don’t, as in this case, they will be held accountable to the full force of the rules.”
Michael was charged with three anti-doping violations: possession of a prohibited substance, administration of a prohibited substance, and complicity. His provisional suspension began on March 19, 2025, and his lifetime ban is effective from that date.
Seth, a sophomore at William B. Travis High School in Richmond, recorded personal bests of 2:09.28 in the 800 meters and 4:35.87 in the mile earlier this year, marks that have now been invalidated. While typical sanctions for a doping violation can stretch to four years, Seth’s suspension was reduced to two years due to the nature of the case and his age at the time.
USADA maintains a strict liability policy, meaning athletes are responsible for any substances in their bodies regardless of intent. However, anti-doping authorities do consider age and mitigating circumstances when determining sanctions, particularly in cases involving minors.
The case raises broader concerns about the role of adults in youth sport, especially those with direct influence over an athlete’s training, health, and competitive decisions. While doping scandals at the professional level are nothing new, cases involving minors, particularly those facilitated by parents, are rare and often draw sharper condemnation.
To help prevent future incidents, USADA has emphasized its educational programs targeting athletes, coaches, and parents. T
he agency provides training on prohibited substances, therapeutic use exemptions, and supplement safety, and offers tools like the Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com) to verify the legality of medications. Whistleblower tips, such as the one that led to the Vowell case, can be submitted anonymously via the Play Clean Tip Center.
Globally, athletes under the age of 18 account for a very small fraction of anti-doping rule violations, according to WADA’s most recent Testing Figures Report. But when minors are involved, especially in cases of parental involvement, the consequences often extend far beyond the athlete’s eligibility status.
For now, both Vowells are serving their suspensions, and one of the most disturbing doping cases in recent U.S. youth athletics history serves as a cautionary tale. Not just about banned substances, but about the responsibilities adults hold in protecting the next generation of athletes.
