Each NCAA Division I athletics program is required to be certified by the NCAA once every 10 years. Athletics certification is meant to ensure member institutions continue to meet the NCAA's fundamental commitment to integrity in intercollegiate athletics and meet the Division I membership standards.
The University of Denver has followed the certification process as prescribed by the NCAA since the fall of 2009. The next phase for NCAA Athletics Certification is the Peer Review Team Evaluation Visit. On Oct. 3-5, a team of three individuals from NCAA Division I non-football institutions and an NCAA staff liaison will visit the University of Denver and review the Pioneers' 230-page written report based off a prescribed set of questions from the NCAA. The content of the report address three major topic areas:
1. Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance
2. Academic Integrity
3. Gender/Diversity Issues and Student-Athlete Well-Being
The four-person committee visiting the DU campus is Dr. Walter Harrison, President of the University of Hartford (chair); Craig Dahlquist, Senior Associate AD for Compliance and Finance at Bradley University; Danielle Josetti, Associate AD for Compliance at Marquette University; and James Bandy, NCAA staff liaison.
The committee's charge during the visit is to verify the accuracy of the written report, confirm the report was developed through broad-based participation and clear up any remaining issues previously noted by the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification. The group will also inteview members of the DU athletic department and campus community, and be given a tour of the DU athletics facilities.
DU Associate Provost for Student Life Jo Calhoun and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment/Director of Admissions Todd Rinehart have done a tremendous job co-chairing the NCAA Certification process for the Pioneers.
"We certainly appreciate and value the leadership of co-chairs Jo Calhoun and Todd Rinehart during this process," DU Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations Peg Bradley-Doppes said. "We also appreciate the efforts and work of our sub-committee chairs. There has been a great deal of information sharing, buy-in and faculty involvement. The NCAA Certification re-confirms that the University of Denver does things the right way."
