NCAA Certifies GU Athletics Program

The primary purpose of the NCAA, a membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics, is to maintain such programs as an integral part of the educational experience.

August 18, 2011 – Georgetown's athletics program has been fully certified, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced August 18.

The announcement follows a yearlong self-study covering governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, gender and diversity issues and student-athlete well-being.

Program Integrity

“We are pleased that the NCAA has affirmed the integrity of the athletics program we are proud to offer to our students,” President John J. DeGioia said. “The process provided a valuable opportunity to create greater campus-wide knowledge and understanding of our program’s strengths as well as areas needing improvement.”

The NCAA had the option of certifying, certifying with conditions and not certifying the program.

A 10-Year Assessment

NCAA Division I institutions are required to conduct a self-study every 10 years. Georgetown completed its last report in 2001.

Jane E. Genster, senior counselor to the president, chaired the steering committee that led the self-study process beginning in fall 2010.

Three subcommittees assisted the steering committee. Each group included faculty, student alumni and staff representatives, including athletics department personnel. The process provided opportunities for communication with and input from all members of the university community.

“The self-study gave us clear ideas of how to enhance the student-athlete experience at Georgetown and our intercollegiate athletics programs,” said Lee Reed, director of athletics. “I am thankful to all the many individuals at the university who willingly participated in this collaborative effort.”

Certification Cycle

This cycle of NCAA certifications represents the last begun before the Division I board of directors placed a moratorium on the program in April 2011. NCAA President Mark Emmert had asked his staff in January 2011 to evaluate the program to reduce the burden on institutions increase cost-effectiveness and improve the overall value of the certification. To complete the certification process before the moratorium, institutions finished a self-study led by their president or chancellor.

The NCAA is a membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics. Its primary purpose is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body. Activities of the NCAA membership include formulating rules of play for NCAA sports, conducting national championships, adopting and enforcing standards of eligibility and studying all phases of intercollegiate athletics.