University of Arkansas Sustainability Blog

Inspiration. Integration. Transformation.

Athletics: Changing the Game for Campus Sustainability

by | Jun 26, 2013 | Athletics

Athletics is a powerhouse of persuasion.

Collegiate teams captivate their audiences in the tens or hundreds of thousands.  They have the potential to completely shift the culture in huge swaths.  Why?  Because fans have pride in their teams and when they see their teams and their teams’ sponsors supporting or engaging in sustainability initiatives, they are more likely to follow in suit.  That’s because athletes act as role models just as much as they are the providers of entertainment.  They are agents of change on college campuses.

Athletes can help spread the message of sustainability.

Imagine if your athletic organization engaged in the following:

  • Purchased Renewable Energy Credits for their stadium footprint
  • Planted trees
  • Built corporate sponsorship to give additional resources for sustainability initiatives
  • Engaged in local clean-ups in the community
  • Created zero-waste events
  • Encouraged bicycling to game day events or provided bike valet options for fans
Athletic departments are huge and athletes are role models for millions of people across America.  It’s a demographic that is a game changer for sustainability engagement, learning, and change because of these two facts.
College campuses are beginning to recognize the value of partnerships between their athletics and sustainability departments.  Here at the University of Arkansas, we are gaining awareness of those benefits and hope to continue building our partnership with the Arkansas Razorbacks.  The entire Arkansas community will benefit from the innovative approaches to engagement, recycling, transportation, community outreach, and sponsorship.  We’re lacing up our shoes and starting to practice but we’re working together to take that ball right down the field.

Check out these two organizations for more resources on sustainability initiatives to motivate fans and local organizations.

5rightsinc.org/

5 Rights puts the spotlight on the local.  They partner with collegiate soccer clubs and local organizations to promote sustainability themed organizations at collegiate games.

fwfootprints.com/

Fans without Footprints is an up and coming for-profit agency that helps sports teams engage the fans in meaningful, and competitive, ways.  It offers some inspiration for fan and sustainability engagement.

Speechless in Seattle

What’s the difference between professional and collegiate approaches to sustainability.  What are the differences and similarities? Where do we have room for improvement.  Read David Newport’s blog to learn some of these answers.

Originally posted on September 16, 2012.