Idaho State University - NCAA Athletics Certification

Athletics certification was approved for Division I institutions at the 1993 NCAA Convention as a key part of the NCAA's reform agenda. Certification was originally introduced in 1989 and tested in a two-year pilot program. Participants generally agreed that the pilot program was valuable but could be improved by limiting the scope of the self-study. After a special committee reworked the idea over the next year, the NCAA Presidents commission, the NCAA Council and the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics supported a revised version of the program. The third cycle of the athletics certification program begins fall 2008. Idaho State University is one of the first universities to start the third cycle of certification, having started in September of 2008. The process will go throughout 2009 as well.

On this site will be many of the pertinent public documents relating to Idaho State's NCAA certification process. This page will be updated periodically thoughout the process.

Pocatello, ID (March 10, 2011) --- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced today that Idaho State University's athletic department has been fully certified.

At its recently concluded meeting the NCAA reviewed written materials related to the institution's self-study of the athletic department. The designation of certified means ISU is “operating its athletic program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership and that any problems identified during the course of the self-study and the peer-review team's evaluation have been corrected…”

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics department, according to the NCAA. Legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted by the NCAA in 1993.

“We are pleased to have the NCAA certify our athletic department without condition. This was a truly a collective university/community effort involving faculty/staff/students/alumni and community members. I am proud of all of them,” said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas.

During the summer of 2010 the University received NCAA certification with one condition. The NCAA determined the institution “did not fully implement its Cycle-2 gender-equity plan in the program area of accommodation of interests and abilities.”

In meeting the NCAA requirement ISU has constructed a new Women's Softball complex and increased funding for the program, completed new intercollegiate locker rooms for women's volleyball, softball and basketball as well as increasing the number of women's athletic scholarships.

“While we are proud of our efforts resulting in full certification, gender equity will continue to be a reviewable progress,” notes Jeff Tingey. “We will always look for new and creative ways to provide an equitable and rewarding athletic experience for our intercollegiate athletes.”

Documents added on Monday, April 13, 2009

2009 - Student-Athlete Well-Being (4-13-09)