Wednesday, August 29, 2007

            Valparaiso University’s athletics program has received certified status from the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification.

             Certification for a 10-year period was awarded following a campus-wide, yearlong self-study by the institution and a campus visit by a team of peer evaluators from NCAA institutions.

              A designation of certification means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership. Valparaiso’s program was initially certificated by the NCAA in 1998 when it was launching the certification program.

            The NCAA established the certification program as a means of ensuring integrity in an institution’s athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments.

             Areas of emphasis in the certification process are governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, and equity and student-athlete well-being.

             All 326 Division I members participate in the certification process.