Indiana State University has started a comprehensive study of its athletics program as part of the NCAA Division I athletics certification program, university officials announced today.
This is the second round of the certification process which was initiated by the NCAA in 1993 to ensure the organization’s commitment to integrity in intercollegiate athletics is being upheld. Indiana State received its first NCAA athletics certification in 1999.
The NCAA certification program is designed to open the affairs of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to the university community and public; set standards for the operation of Division I athletics programs; and put in place tough sanctions for institutions that fail to conduct a comprehensive self-study or to correct problems.
A 16-member steering committee chaired by David Wright, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, will oversee the process. The committee includes faculty, staff and student representatives as well as community members and a member of the Board of Trustees.
“This process provides our university an opportunity to review its athletic programs, affirm the many aspects of our program that are doing well and identify opportunities for improvement. We plan for this to be a very open, transparent process in which the entire university community, as well as the general public, can participate,†said Wright.
The self-study process will include a review of three primary areas. Subcommittees and the chairs for each area are:
Academic integrity, chaired by Blanche Evans, professor of physical education.
Equity and student-athlete well-being, chaired by Jeff Edwards, chairperson of the department of physical education and interim chairperson of the department of athletic training.
Governance and commitment to rules compliance, chaired by Diann McKee, assistant vice president and university budget officer.
Following the self-study, Indiana State will file a report with the NCAA by May 1. In fall 2008, a review team from the NCAA will visit Indiana State’s campus. A decision on re-certification is expected in February 2009.
Writer: Teresa Exline, university spokesperson, Indiana State University, texline@indstate.edu, (812) 237-7783
Contact: David Wright, Chair, ISU NCAA Certification Steering Committee,dwright5@isugw.indstate.edu , (812) 237-3888