May 5, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - In the middle the most successful athletic campaign in school history, Sacred Heart University learned last week that it received an "A" from the the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification. This was the first time Sacred Heart has gone through the certification process since the program made the transition to Division I in 1999 and validates the progress and success the University has had in Division I intercollegiate athletics since making the move.

The news of the certification comes at a time when the Sacred Heart athletic department has won the Northeast Conference Commissioner's Cup for the first time. The Cup is awarded each year to the NEC member that has the best overall intercollegiate athletic program, defined by a team's finish in each of the 21 sports the conference sponsors. This year the Pioneers had five teams finish first, two finish second and six finish in third place.

"Division I athletic competition is an integral part of Sacred Heart University's overall approach to learning. The Catholic intellectual tradition, on which Sacred Heart University is based, has always worked to engage the whole person: mind, spirit and body. We couldn't be prouder of our student-athletes who contribute so much to the richness of our campus life and our learning experience," said SHU President, Dr. Anthony J. Cernera.

A certified designation means that Sacred Heart operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership. The certification process, which involved a self-study led by Dr. Cernera and Director of Athletics, Don Cook, included a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well-being.

"In conducting an eight-month, campus-wide self-study following NCAA directives and guidelines, the Athletics Department had an excellent road map to assess where it had been, thus providing the foundational baseline for the development and enhancement of operating plans for the future," said Cook. "It was very gratifying to learn that the NCAA's 15-member Division I Athletics Certification Committee determined that Sacred Heart Athletics is in conformity with the operating principles of the national organization, and therefore is a fully certified Division I program."

"The requirements to begin competing at the Division I level are just that, minimal requirements, but not criteria/standards for certification," said Cook. "This was the first time that the NCAA took an in-depth look into the way we do business."

Since making the transition from Division II to Division I in 1999, six Pioneer teams have won conference championships and earned automatic berths in NCAA playoff competition. In addition, a dozen student-athletes have qualified for NCAA Championships in individual activities such as wrestling, track and fencing.

"We have enjoyed heart-stopping competition and some terrific victories, but we are especially proud that our competitors are, first and always, student-athletes. Our Division I competitors have led the field in academic achievement as well as points scored. Their accomplishments both on and off the field are exceptional," said Jim Barquinero, vice president for Enrollment Planning at SHU.

Athletics certifications are being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process, so the Pioneers will have some time before undergoing a re-certification. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.

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 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.

"There are many people to thank among the 80 committee members who helped us navigate the certification process," continued Cook. "Putting the self study together was a team effort and I believe we proved to the NCAA that Sacred Heart University has been very successful in transitioning to Division I and sponsoring one of the largest intercollegiate athletic programs in the country."