Sept. 4, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois University has begun a campus-wide effort to study its athletic program as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletics certification program, President John Peters announced Thursday.

The purpose of NCAA certification is to help ensure the integrity of an institution's athletics operations. The 18-month process begins with a self-study conducted by the university that specifically looks at the athletic department's academic integrity, governance and commitment to rules compliance, and gender, diversity and student-athlete well-being.

Peters said that Dr. Tom Krepel, Assistant to the President, will chair the self-study Steering Committee. Campus and community leaders, as well as faculty members, students, coaches, student-athletes and athletic department staff will serve on three subcommittees, each of which addresses one of the issues listed above.

"The re-certification of our athletics program by the NCAA is an important process which we take very seriously," Peters said. "The individuals who will serve on the committees are dedicated, qualified and represent a diverse cross-section of our campus, athletic department and community. I am confident they will do a thorough and extensive review of our athletic program, and present a comprehensive report to the NCAA."

Krepel said that in addition to involving committee members, the study will ask for input from the entire campus community.

"One of the primary goals of this self-study is to open the affairs of our athletic program to the university community and to the public," Krepel said. "We welcome input from everyone on campus and will be providing avenues for that input through e-mail, surveys and open meetings."

Northern Illinois' athletic program went through the certification process approximately 10 years ago and part of this year's study will involve looking back at the institution's response to findings that came out of that exercise. Through the re-certification effort, Northern Illinois will also look to demonstrate continued institutional commitment to and compliance with the operating principles of the NCAA and define plans for the continual improvement of the NIU athletics program.

Within each area to be studied by the committees, operating principles established by the NCAA are used to ensure consistency in the way all Division I members are evaluated. Northern Illinois' self-evaluation report is due to the NCAA by May 1, 2009. The NCAA reviews the self-study and a peer review team will visit campus next fall. The NCAA makes a final decision on recertification early in 2010.

For more information on Northern Illinois' athletic certification efforts, please go to www.niuhuskies.com and click the NCAA Certification button at the bottom of the page.

-- NIU --