Utah State University Successfully Completes NCAA Certification Process

The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced Tuesday [April 15] that Utah State University is one of 35 schools to be certified without conditions after undergoing the Association’s second cycle of athletics certification. In all, 37 Division I member institutions were required to perform a self-study during this cycle.

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

 

“Utah State University is thrilled that our athletics department has been certified without conditions by the NCAA,” said Raymond T. Coward, executive vice president and provost. “This certification reaffirms our beliefs that the athletics department has the appropriate policies in place to help its student-athletes both in the classroom and on the playing field.”

 

The certification process, which involves a self-study led by an institution’s president or chancellor, includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well-being.

 

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 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 hosts a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those 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.