University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Athletics Department Earns Certification by NCAA
8/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The University of Southern Mississippi earned certification by the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification this week, lifting the one condition from its initial announcement in May.
"We are proud of our athletic and academic traditions and to have been certified by the NCAA.," University President Dr. Shelby F. Thames said. "I would like to recognize the hard work of Athletics Director Richard Giannini, the faculty and staff across campus for their teamwork in achieving this important designation. On the field or on in a lecture hall, Southern Miss competes nationally at the top of the class."
The committee announced the decision based on the information submitted following the May announcement and the classification means that Southern Miss is considered to be operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership.
"We are extremely pleased about the announcement this week that we are fully certified by the NCAA," Giannini said. "The support of the faculty and staff has been excellent during this process and we thank those who gave their time to be on the certification committee."
The committee recognized that the peer-review team made a good faith effort to review issues regarding the athletics program as well as offering various opportunities for enhancement to improve the athletics department. "I would like to thank our faculty, staff and students for two years of hard work on this NCAA self study of our Athletic program," Self-Study Committee Chair Dr. Joe Paul, the University Vice President of Student Affairs said. "Our findings affirmed the reality that we have a superbly administered program, and that we are blessed with great leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics." 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 process, which involves a self-study led by the institution's president, includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well being. Along with Dr. Paul, members of the University staff who served on the re-certification committee included sub-committee chairpersons Dr. Dennis Phillips, Dr. Susan Hubbell-Burchell and Mary Dayne Gregg. # # # SouthernMiss.com # # #
