Aug. 11, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced decisions today regarding the certification status of 19 Division I member institutions that have undergone the Association's second cycle of athletics certification. Loyola University Chicago was one of the 19 institutions to be certified today.
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 student-athlete 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.
"With direction, support and guidance from Fr. Garanzini, S.J., President, Fr. Richard Salmi, S.J., Vice President for Student Affairs, and William Laird, CFO and Chairman of the Certification Steering Committee, the certification of Loyola's athletics department complements the continued growth and development within the University," Loyola Director of Athletics John Planek said.
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 preliminarily 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.
