Athletics receives NCAA certification

UW–Madison and 11 other Division I member institutions were certified Feb. 21 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating rules and 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 utilized during the initial certification process.

All 321 Division I members that are active division members participate in the certification process.

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

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

The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminarily reviews an institution’s certification materials then 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 can negatively impact certification status.

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

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