University of Minnesota athletics receives highest NCAA certification

Contacts: Daniel Wolter, University News Service, (612) 624-5551, wolter@umn.edu

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (04/16/2009) — The University of Minnesota intercollegiate athletics program has received official certification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, the NCAA announced today.

The Golden Gophers' athletic program was classified as operating "in substantial conformity with the operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership." This is the highest form of certification from the NCAA.

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. Legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993. Institutions can be certified in substantial conformity, certified with conditions, or not certified.

This is the university's second certification; the first was completed in February 2001.

"This self-study process has been a very positive exercise for the university community," said university Auditor Gail Klatt, who chaired the committee responsible for the study. "It shows that over the last decade, we've made a great deal of progress in rules compliance, academic integrity, the well-being of student athletes and equity. But just as important, it has identified for us additional steps that need to be taken to ensure strong athletic programs in the future."

The certification process involves a self-study process charged by the school's chief executive officer, and includes a review of governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, student-athlete well-being and commitment to equity. A peer review team consisting of administrators from other NCAA institutions then visits the campus to verify the accuracy and completeness of the self-study report, verify broad-based participation in the self-study and identify issues that may prevent the institution from establishing conformity with the operating principles of Division I Athletics Certification.