NCAA Division I management announced last fall it selected Nicholls Athletics Director Rob Bernardi to a four-year term to the Committee on Athletics Certification (CAC). The Committee on Athletics Certification oversees the institutional certification process, which is a self-study of an institution’s athletics program.
In response to a rash of recruiting violations, the NCAA passed legislation at the 1993 NCAA Convention which required all Division I institutions to be certified.
The central purpose of the certification program is to validate the fundamental integrity principle within the athletics program of several member institutions.
The original legislation called for Division I schools to be certified once every five years.
The legislation was subsequently amended to require certificaition once every 10 years.
Bernardi’s appointment to the Committee on Athletics Certification is his second appointment to an NCAA committee.
Last spring Bernardi was also selected to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee (FCS Committee).
A California native, Bernardi proved to be a valuable resource as Nicholls recently completed the NCAA Certification process; Bernardi’s appointment to the Committee on Athletics certification came only weeks after Nicholls completed its certification.
Bernardi, who recently completed his seventh year at the helm of the Colonel program, is one of only eight athletic directors who serve on the football committee.
“While the committee assignments offer a wonderful opportunity to participate in the governance structure of the NCAA, the time demands can be a bit overwhelming,” Bernardi said.
Bernardi estimated he spends three to four hours per week on work related to the committees.
In addition to the day-to-day workload, attending in-person meetings requires added travel. Each committee meets three times a year.
“As a representative of Nicholls, I believe my participation in the NCAA governance process is an asset to Nicholls in terms of institutional recognition,” Bernardi said.
As athletic director, Bernardi oversees a department with nearly 300 student-athletes, 60 staff members and an estimated $5 million budget.
During his tenure, the athletic department has seen an increase in funding from public and private sources, enhancements in athletic facilities, improvements in academic performances of student-athletes and an overall sense of respect for the Colonel athletics program.
In addition, the Manning Passing Academy is a nationally recognized sports camp Bernardi helped add to Nicholls campus through his contacts with the Manning family.
The event has become a highlight for the Thibodaux community and has attracted numerous young athletes from around the country to the University.
“I am very fortunate. In addition to my NCAA work, I have a tremendous staff of coaches and athletics administrators to work with, along with a very supportive University administration guided by an exceptional leader in Dr. Hulbert,” Bernardi said.
