Troy University Athletics
Troy University Athletics Receives Full Certification From NCAA
8/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced decisions today concerning the certification status of 19 Division I member institutions that have undergone the Association's second cycle of athletics certification.
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 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.
Troy University's certification committee included: Dr. Jeff Spurlock, Assistant Professor, Hall School of Journalism, Steering Committee Chair Member, Athletics Advisory Committee; Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor; Dr. Douglas Patterson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration; Mr. Allen Owen, Board of Trustees Member; Mr. Kyle Woodham, Jr., Student; Ms. Emily Cobb, Student Athlete (Soccer); Mr. Scott Farmer, Senior Associate Athletics Director; Ms. Sandy Atkins, Associate Athletics Director/SWA; Dr. Henry Stewart, Dean of Library Services; Dr. Steve Grice, Associate Professor, Accounting; Ms. Eleanor Lee, Director of Instructional Support Services; Dr. Lance Tatum, NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and Interim Dean College of Education; Mr. Gary Smith, Athletics Booster; Mr. Steve Dennis; Director of Athletics.
"This process has required us to take a long look at every aspect of our athletics programs," Chancellor Hawkins said. "We examined our academic support services, our governance of the athletic program and our procedure for setting athletic policies at the institutional level. It was an exhaustive study and required the time and talents of many people throughout the University. The results provide an outstanding reflection on Troy University and our athletic program."
A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.
"I am very proud of the entire Troy University family," Director of Athletics Steve Dennis said. "Receiving this certification from the NCAA just goes to show the quality of the leadership we have here from our Board of Directors, our Chancellor, Dr. Hawkins, our faculty and the entire athletics staff.
"The process to receive this certification took two years during which the members of the certifications committee, chaired by Jeff Spurlock, put in a lot of hard work and effort. I am very proud that we have put in our due diligence to maintain our athletics program in a first class manner, and am proud that effort has been recognized by the NCAA."
In addition to Troy University, the following 16 universities were also certified: Alabama A&M University, Bucknell University, Central Connecticut State University, College of Charleston (South Carolina), Delaware State University, Duke University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of New Mexico, University of North Carolina (Charlotte), University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's University, Stephen F. Austin University, Stetson University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Virginia and Wagner College.
In addition, two Division I institutions have been certified with conditions: Eastern Kentucky University and Savannah State University.
This classification means that the institution is considered to be operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the NCAA's Division I membership. However, problems identified during the course of the institution's self-study and the peer-review team's evaluation were considered serious enough by the Committee on Athletics Certification to cause it to withhold full certification until those problems have been corrected.
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.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions may ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution's certification status as a result of the completed infractions case.
The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: McKinley Boston, New Mexico State University; Shonna Brown, Mid-American Conference; Rita Hartung Cheng, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Rich Ensor, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference; Kevin Hatcher, Colgate University; Pat Howey, University of North Carolina, Wilmington; Gerald M. Lage, Oklahoma State University; Leo Lambert (chair), Elon University; Fred Mims, University of Iowa; Gloria Nevarez, West Coast Conference; Frank Pergolizzi, Southeastern Louisiana University; Mary Ann Rohleder, Indiana University, Bloomington; Greg Sankey, Southeastern Conference; and Jon Steinbrecher, Ohio Valley Conference.
