FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After a year-long institutional self-study to receive NCAA Division I athletics recertification, the University of Arkansas received its certification with conditions. The NCAA’s announcement regarding the U of A’s status was issued today.
To view the NCAA’s press release, go to http://www2.ncaa.org/media_and_events/press_room/. To view the NCAA’s summary of actions, .
“I am pleased that the university has been certified, albeit with conditions. We will address and remedy the two areas identified by the NCAA and we will do so quickly,” Chancellor John A. White said. “I would like to express my appreciation to all members of the faculty and staff who participated in the process and note that the self-study and visit by the NCAA certification team identified 'opportunities for improvement’ that will result in a stronger program for both men's and women's athletics.”
The University of Arkansas was among the institutions that helped shape the certification program by volunteering to participate in a pilot project in 1992. Following the pilot project, the Division I membership overwhelmingly supported the program and its standards at the 1993 NCAA Convention.
The university completed its first certification under the adopted self-study certification process in 1997. During the same year, the Division I membership voted to change the frequency of athletics certification from once every five years to once every 10 years and to require a five-year, interim-status report. Thus, the most recent study was the third in the university's history.
To view the complete U of A self-study, go to https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/ncaass/AdminMDB.AC_InstMenu.ACSHomePage (Institutional ID: 031, Access Password: view).
Frank Broyles, director of men’s athletics, said, “I am pleased with the findings of the NCAA certification team in regards to our program. The two conditions outlined by the committee in our report primarily ask for more details on initiatives that have already been implemented.
“We will provide the additional information to the committee in the coming weeks. I am grateful to all of the individuals who participated in the certification process and appreciate their ongoing commitment to making the University of Arkansas and its athletic programs stronger.”
Bev Lewis, director of women’s athletics, said, “I am glad the NCAA Certification Committee has completed its overall report, and the process has run its course. The certification process is one of the cornerstones of the NCAA’s reform package.
“I want to thank those persons on campus who took time from their busy schedules over the past months to serve on the University’s certification committees.”
Efforts to address the two conditions to be resolved have been underway, said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith, and Senior Associate Athletic Director and Compliance Coordinator Derrick Gragg.
Smith said changes will be made in job descriptions and other personnel support materials of 16 individuals in the academic affairs area whose jobs include some level of responsibility for NCAA rules compliance.
Gragg said the university will review the language and information submitted to the NCAA in the past regarding its existing minority issues plan and restructure the plan to meet the requirements set forth in the most recent evaluation.