Dietary supplement marketers looking to reach the college demographic in Ohio shouldnt bother exploring athletic sponsorship opportunities with Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus. As reported by The Lantern, while 39 companies currently sponsor the colleges recreational sports department, dietary supplement companies arent invited to the party.

Beau Rugg, associate director of recreational sports, said OSU has been approached for sponsorships by several supplement companies, but have always turned down the offer without even discussing cost. He added he does not know of any universities in the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association that sell advertising to supplement companies, as the association does not approve of the use of dietary supplements. We really dont have a lot of data on whats good and whats not, Rugg told The Lantern. Its so nebulous out there on supplements, it makes it very difficult to make a decision. Theres just not enough [information] out there to say Oh yeah, we agree with this and dont agree with this. So were going to wait.

While OSU says no, other universities athletic programsincluding Arizona State, the University of Miami (FL), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and  University of Southern California (USC)are or have been sponsored by dietary supplement companies.

Clay Marsh, associate vice president of Health Sciences Research at OSU, echoed Ruggs concerns about the lack of long-term studies on some dietary supplements. We look at nutritional supplements or bodybuilding supplements and I think many times people that are younger may not worry about the long-term consequences because they might not feel them immediately, he said. Sometimes we cant appreciate the side-effects or toxicities of therapies, treatments, supplements or pills until a longer period of time has passed. So we need to be judicious in our ability to continue to follow people and make sure they arent developing any toxicities or side-effects from taking these things.