Nov. 21, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced today that the University of Missouri-Columbia has been certified. An institution that has been certified is considered to be operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with NCAA's operating principles.

"I am extraordinarily pleased to receive the report from the NCAA Division I Committee that MU, based on our athletics self-study, has been certified," said Chancellor Brady Deaton. "This report reaffirms the hard work, integrity and commitment shown by everyone involved in our athletics program. I also want to thank those who worked so hard during the self-study to assure this recognition of Mizzou athletics as a major Division I program."

The athletics certification process, which is meant to ensure the NCAA's fundamental commitment to integrity in intercollegiate athletics, was initiated in 1989. The core of the certification process is the institution's self-study in which campus-wide participation is critical. Benefits of the self-study include increased self awareness and an opportunity to educate individuals across campus and the community about the athletics program's goals and purposes, affirmation of the aspects of the athletics program worthy of praise, and opportunities to improve.

MU's self-study steering committee, chaired by Michael Devaney, began the self-study in December 2004. Other members of the committee included Chancellor Deaton, Michael Alden, Mary Austin, Bob Bailey, Lori Franz, Gail Ludwig, Bryan Maggard, Michael Middleton, Michael Prewitt, Sarah Reesman, Brenda Selman, Carl Settergren and Handy Williamson.

"We were a great team, and I would like to thank all for their substantial effort to bring this ten-year certification about," said Devaney. "Special recognition is due to Mary Austin for her many contributions on several fronts and our Chancellor, Brady Deaton, who really `carried the ball' in the final phases of the process."

The self-study was reviewed by the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification and followed by a visit from a peer-review team of selected individuals from Division I institutions or conferences with knowledge of intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA's committee on certification rendered its decision based on the self-study and the peer review team's report.

"Today's athletics programs are complex operations and benefit from the comprehensive review conducted by the NCAA and the peer review team," said Athletic Director Mike Alden. "To receive this certified status is both fulfilling and reflective of the commitment our staff has to upholding the principles of institutional control and responsibility. This result is demonstrative of the cooperative relationship the department has with the rest of our campus community. I would like to commend everyone who was so involved in this self-study, from the steering committee and sub-committee members, and specifically Dr. Michael Devaney, who chaired this endeavor."

Note: The NCAA's press release is available at www.ncaa.org. A complete copy of MU's self-study, the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification Analysis with Institutions Responses, the Peer-Review Team Report with Institutions Responses, the NCAA's press release and the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification's decision letter may be found at http://www.mutigers.com/compliance/2006certification.html.