INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced decisions today concerning the certification status of seven Division I member institutions that have undergone the Association’s cycle of athletics certification.

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution’s athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments.  NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.

The certification process, which is a self-study led by an institution’s chief executive officer, includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and welfare.

A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

The following universities were certified:

• University of California, Riverside
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck
• Northeastern University
• University of Northern Iowa
• Radford University
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Western Kentucky University

The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process.  All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.

The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification reviews an institution’s certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation.  The university then has a period of approximately one year to respond in writing to the issues before a final certification decision is rendered.  An institution’s failure to satisfactorily respond to the committee may negatively impact certification status.

The certification process is separate from the NCAA’s enforcement program, which investigates allegations of rules violations by NCAA member institutions.  A decision of certified does not exempt an institution from concurrent or subsequent enforcement proceedings. 

The NCAA Committee on Infractions may ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution’s certification status as a result of the completed infractions case.

The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are:  Rita Cheng, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Richard Ensor, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference; John Hardt, Bucknell University; Pat Howey, University of North Carolina, Wilmington; Gerald Lage, Oklahoma State University; Leo Lambert, Elon University; Colleen Lim, Yale University; Jamie McCloskey, University of Florida; Fred Mims, University of Iowa; Frank Pergolizzi, Southeastern Louisiana University; Paul G. Risser (chair), Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Dawn Rogers, Xavier University; Mary Ann Rohleder, Indiana University; and Greg Sankey, Southland Conference.