Illinois State Athletics was one of 27 programs to meet certification requirements by the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification last fall. The designation denotes that an institution operates its athletics program in compliance with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.
“It was an easy story to tell the NCAA,” said Associate Provost Jan Murphy, who chaired the University’s certification committee. “We have outstanding student-athletes who work with extraordinary coaches and staff. Add a really terrific self-study committee to the mix, and I am not surprised that we had such a positive outcome.”
Original legislation mandating certification was adopted for all active NCAA Division I schools in 1993 to ensure the integrity of each member institution’s athletics program, while assisting institutions with improvements when necessary. This is the third time Illinois State has been certified at the highest level.
“We are so pleased with the result, and to again be certified at the highest level is a true compliment to the lengthy commitment of this institution to doing things the right way,” said Leanna Bordner, senior women’s administrator and Athletics certification liaison.
Each NCAA member institution is to complete a self-study at least once every 10 years. Illinois State finished a self-study led by President Al Bowman. Members of the ISU certification committee also completed a review of governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, gender/diversity issues, and student-athlete well-being.
