CLEVELAND — The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) have selected the three finalists for the second annual USG NACDA Sustainability Award. The announcement was made at the 51st NACDA Convention in Dallas, Texas.
The Sustainability Award will be presented in the fall, at an on-campus event hosted by the winning institution. The award was designed to recognize NACDA member institutions across all divisions, honoring athletics directors and their universities for incorporating sustainable practices and materials into their athletics facilities. A seven-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from USG and NACDA will help choose this year's award winner.
The finalists for the Sustainability Award are:
- Arizona State University
- University of Louisville
- South Dakota State University
“As we conclude our second year of the USG NACDA Sustainability Award, it is no surprise that the number of applications and the environmental impact these projects represent, have exceeded our expectations," said NACDA Executive Director, Bob Vecchione. “The competition for the top-three finalists was extremely close. Each and every institutions should be applauded for their leadership role in on-campus sustainability enhancements.”
Below are descriptions of the four facilities that earned these institutions recognition as finalists for the USG NACDA Sustainability Award.
Arizona State University
Facility: Sun Devil Stadium
Architect: Gould Evans/HTNB
The flagship facility for Sun Devil Athletics, Sun Devil Stadium, is currently in Phase II of a three-year phased reinvention of the iconic football venue. Sun Devil Stadium is currently pending LEED certification and has a preliminary scorecard from the USGB to monitor its progress (attached). The construction on the stadium is anticipated to be completed in 2017, making way for full LEED certification.
Facility: Weatherup Center
Architect: Gould Evans/HOK Spot
Sun Devil Athletics has also made sustainability a priority in its new construction and development. In the spring of 2009 Sun Devil Athletics completed construction on the Weatherup Center, the home to the Sun Devil men’s and women’s basketball programs. The Weatherup Center also has the distinction of being the first athletic practice facility in the nation to become LEED-certified, earning v2+ Gold status. The facility used renewable maple wood flooring and a large portion of the construction on the building used recycled and locally manufactured materials. The solar panels installed on the roof of the Weatherup Center provide 45 percent of the building’s energy and occupancy censors and window shades help conserve the energy.
University of Louisville
Facility: Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Soccer Stadium
Architect: The Estopinal Group (TEG Architects)
The University of Louisville and TEG Architects have collaborated on the first ever LEED certified (Silver) soccer only facility in the nation. Located in the hear of U of L’s South Floyd Street athletics corridor, the stadium features approximately 2,400 individual seats with seatbacks at the main grandstand on the south side of the stadium. These seats will be protected from the elements by a gently curving, elegant Teflon coated tensile fabric canopy. The stadium’s capacity is 5,800 fans. A 1,443 square-foot press box includes suites for donors, radio, television, operations and general media. On the east end of the complex is a one story 15,320 square-foot training center which includes coaches’ offices and lockers, player lockers and lounge, training, and team rooms.
South Dakota State University
Facility: Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex
Architect: Architecture Inc. in association with Crawford Architects
Since its opening in October 2014, the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex (SJAC) in Brookings, S.D. has emerged as a premier training facility in Division I athletics. The SJAC has achieved LEED Silver and Energy Start Certifications. The functional features of the SJC form the basis of innovation and creative programs by providing two complementary components: an indoor practice facility (IPF) and human performance facility (HPF). The IPF accommodates year-round training for all intercollegiate athletics programs, offering welcome relief from South Dakota winters. The facility is also used by SDSU students, faculty and staff, as well as the Brookings community for tournaments, camps, high school sports and special events. With an overall indoor footprint of 149,400 square-feet and 65-feet of interior clear height, the SJAC is one of the largest indoor practice facilities in NCAA athletics.
About USG: USG Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of innovative, high-performance building systems through its United States Gypsum Company, USG Interiors, LLC and L&W Supply Corporation subsidiaries and its USG Boral Building Products joint venture. Headquartered in Chicago, USG Worldwide operations serve the commercial, residential, and repair and remodel construction markets, enabling our customers to build the outstanding spaces where people live, work and play. USG wall, ceiling, exterior sheathing, flooring underlayment and roofing systems provide leading-edge building solutions, while L&W Supply branch locations efficiently stock and deliver building materials throughout the United States. USG Boral Building Products is a leading plasterboard & ceilings joint venture across Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East. USG and its subsidiaries are proud sponsors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams and the Canadian Olympic team. For additional information, visitwww.usg.com.
About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 51st year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 11,000 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 16 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visitwww.nacda.com.