Former UW team physician to give up license

By Seattle Times staff

Scheyer worked with UW athletes.

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A former team doctor for the University of Washington softball team has agreed to give up his medical license to settle a state investigation into his drug-dispensing practices.

William Scheyer, 76, of Kirkland, made no admission of guilt or wrongdoing as part of the settlement with the state's Medical Quality Assurance Commission.

The commission, in a settlement order signed Monday, said it believes it could have proved that Scheyer violated various state laws, including the illegal distribution of controlled substances.

Scheyer's license was suspended in October 2003 after state investigators found he improperly dispensed thousands of narcotic pain medications, tranquilizers and other prescription drugs to UW trainers and members of the softball team.

After Scheyer's suspension, UW officials ordered an internal investigation of his practices that led to the removal of softball coach Teresa Wilson.

Wilson knew or should have known about Scheyer's activities, an investigative panel concluded in April.

The panel's report found that softball players were dangerously overmedicated and laid blame on top UW officials, including former Athletic Director Barbara Hedges. Hedges retired in January, citing the fallout from the drug scandal and gambling activities involving fired football coach Rick Neuheisel.

Scheyer continues to be the subject of a separate criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Washington State Patrol's drug-investigation unit. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined comment.

Scheyer is cooperating in that investigation, his attorney, David Martin, said in a written statement. No charges have been filed to date.

Martin said in the statement that Scheyer decided to settle with state medical authorities to avoid the "expense and distraction" of further hearings and testimony, and because "at his age, retirement was an appropriate step."
 
"Bill has spent nearly 50 years serving his community as a sports-medicine-practice physician, and deserves to enjoy his retirement with his wife and family," Martin said.

Scheyer worked with various UW athletic programs, including the football and basketball teams, from 1986 to 1999. He remained as team doctor and then a volunteer for the softball team until Hedges removed him shortly before his medical license was suspended.

Scheyer, in a written statement, said working and volunteering with young people have "always been my greatest joys but it is time for me to slow down."

He said he would now focus on "new ways to give of myself."