96-11-21 NCAA Certifies Athletic Program

NCAA CERTIFIES THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY'S ATHLETICS PROGRAM

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University is one of 13 Division 
I schools to receive NCAA athletics certification in the latest 
set of evaluations since 1993, the NCAA Committee on Athletics 
Certification announced today in Overland Park, Kan.

     The announcement puts Ohio State's Department of Athletics 
among the 101 NCAA certified institutions.  All 305 Division I 
members will undergo the process within five years.  The 
certification program ensures integrity in athletic operations 
and assists departments in improving operations.

     Division I members mandated certification at the 1993 NCAA 
National Convention as a key part of the association's reform 
agenda.

     A designation of "certified" means Ohio State has shown it 
operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with 
operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

     The certification process was led by David Williams II, vice 
president for student affairs at Ohio State, and a Certification 
Steering Committee.  Included in the process were members of the 
student body, faculty and staff; university trustees; members of 
the university community; and athletics department personnel.

     Subcommittees conducted self-studies of governance and 
compliance with NCAA regulations, academic integrity, fiscal 
integrity, and equity.  The subcommittee chairs, respectively, 
were David Frantz, professor of English; Nancy Zimpher, dean of 
the College of Education; Eric Busch, assistant vice president 
for student affairs; and Barbara Snyder, professor of law.

     "This process has been wonderful," Williams said.  "We have 
learned how good our athletic department is, and how we can make 
it even better.

     "This review will be on going.  The certification 
announcement today is not the end; it's just the beginning,"

     Williams said he appreciated the hard work of committee 
members, the subcommittee chairs, staff coordinator Deborah Katz, 
and athletic department staff.  "I want to thank everyone who was 
involved."

     Following the self-study, a peer group of administrators 
from other NCAA institutions visited Ohio State's Columbus campus 
to hear from the subcommittees and others last spring.  The peer 
group then reported back to the NCAA Committee on Athletics 
Certification, which rendered the final decision.

     Information about university participation in the 
certification process is available on the Ohio State homepage 
under "Athletics."  The World Wide Web address is 
http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/athletics/.

     The NCAA is a membership organization of colleges and 
universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics.  The 
primary purpose of the association is to maintain intercollegiate 
athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the 
athlete as an integral part of the student body.
                            #
Contact: David Williams, (614)-292-9334


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Thu, 21 Nov 1996 15:41:37 -0500 (EST)]
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