Tygart’s True Sport Mission Applies to Cadet Leadership Seminar

Tygart’s ‘True Sport’ Mission Applies to Cadet Leadership Seminar 

Mr. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), notes that part of his agency’s mission is protecting the right of clean athletes to compete. Visiting West Alabama as the keynote speaker for Marion Military Institute’s Capstone Leadership Seminar, he shared his personal experience in pursuing the doping investigation of professional cyclist Lance Armstong and others on the U.S. Postal Service team. Tailored to fit in with the cadets’ leadership education curriculum, the chosen topic was “moral courage.”  

Tygart emphasized that integrity is built by making a simple decision on a daily basis—doing the right thing—which lays a foundation for times where you’re faced with a tough decision. “When the world’s pressure comes down on you, are you going to make the right decision?” he asked, recounting his personal experience with Armstrong.  

Under attack from the media, even receiving personal death threats, Tygart explained that he and his 42-member staff remained focused on the pursuit of truth when the evidence of wrong-doing was clear. Following his presentation, cadets asked Tygart questions related to performance-enhancing drugs and reallocating Olympic medals to clean athletes.

Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, meets cadet leaders(Jeude, Poythress and Perlich) before his address in the Marion Military Institute’s Chapel on “Moral Courage.”