On Thursday, Eastern received recertification from the NCAA to compete as a Division I school.

There were 26 other Division I schools that met the requirements set by the NCAA. All 355 institutions participate in the certification to meet the requirements for Division I status.

“The certification of our athletics program is a tribute to everyone in the university who has contributed to the academic, personal, and athletic development of our student athletes, upheld the integrity of our programs, and held to the highest ideals of intercollegiate athletics,” said Eastern’s President William Perry in a press release.

The NCAA started requiring schools to meet this athletic certification legislation in 1993. The process contains a study done by the university president. The study looks at student-athlete well-being, gender and diversity issues, academic integrity and commitment to rules compliance.

After the study is completed, there is a visit by peer reviewers who file a report regarding the institution’s resolution of those issues before a final certification decision is rendered.

The certification process is different from the NCAA’s enforcement program, which conducts all of the investigations of rules violations.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions can ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution’s certification status because of a completed infractions case.

“This was an in-depth and lengthy process that looked at all facets of our Division I program,” Athletic Director Barbra Burke said in a press release.

Both Burke and Perry thanked everyone who was a part of the certification process.

“I would like to thank all the individuals who served on the recertification committee and helped with the successful completion of this process,” Burke said.

“The certification process is a thorough process which was handled extremely well by our steering committee and its subcommittees,” Perry said. “On behalf of the university, I thank the committee and all who participated in the certification process.”

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu