TEMPE, Ariz. – A year after receiving the 2016 USG NACDA Sustainability Award, Sun Devil Athletics continues to invest and buy in to their role as part of a sustainable university at Arizona State.
The Sun Devil women's basketball team and the men's and women's swimming and diving squads recently upped the ante by becoming Sustainability Certified through University Sustainability Practices (USP). This certification is unique within collegiate sports, with Yale being the only other university in the country offering similar sports sustainability certification.
"ASU is a national leader in sustainability and we've been able to reach that status largely through partnerships and collaboration across the university," said ASU USP senior program coordinator Lesley Forst. "Sun Devil Athletics' commitment to sustainability is a perfect example of this, with support for sustainability at all levels, from staff, fans, and athletes. The leadership of women's basketball and swim and dive, who took initiative to be the first teams to be sustainability certified, is tremendously helpful in continuing to build a culture of sustainability at ASU."
Sport certification is designed to help the teams support ASU's sustainability goals and help foster a sustainability culture within Sun Devil Athletics. The sustainable sports program includes recycling and waste management, energy efficiency, green purchasing, transportation practices, and fan and community engagement, among others.
The certification is one of seven certification programs that is administered by University Sustainability Practices.
Sun Devil women's basketball was the first program to be certified, as they finished their certification during the 2016-17 season. Under head swimming coach Bob Bowman and head diving coach Mark Bradshaw, the men's and women's swimming and diving program became the first to become certified this season, and the second overall.
"For ASU swimmers, clean water and clean air are vital for our success and well-being," said Bowman. "I am proud of our program for its commitment to sustainability. Our stewardship of the natural resources is important and we take our responsibility to conserve and protect them very seriously."
In order to become certified, teams must complete an online checklist, which outlines various sustainability practices related to sports that they were either already doing, or that they must commit to complete in the future.
Participation in the sports certification is part of Sun Devil Athletics ongoing commitment to sustainability, as demonstrated through the state-of-the-art facilities that encompass sustainable practices, a zero-waste policy at every SDA ticketed event, and "green games" hosted by every team as a celebration of sustainability in sports.
"It was an honor to be the first team to complete the sustainability certification for sports at Arizona State University," said women's head basketball coach Charli Turner-Thorne. "Under the great leadership of Michael Crow, ASU has become a torchbearer for researching strategies and solutions that are paving the way for a better tomorrow. With sustainability being one of ASU's cornerstone disciplines, our program felt an obligation to educate ourselves and in turn use our platform to help inform others about the important role sustainability plays in our world. We look forward to continuing to partner with ASU's School of Sustainability and our fellow Sun Devil teams to get the word out about these important initiatives."
The department's investment into the vision of ASU President Michael Crow – to be carbon neutral by 2025 – can also be seen at all facilities with LED lights to reduce energy costs and heat gain, partnering with Sodexo for recyclable cups and other products, as well as emphasizing green products when it comes to cleaning supplies, hand towels, toilet paper and hand soap within all athletic facility restrooms.
Sun Devil Athletics and ASU anticipate more athletic programs to become certified in the near future, as the university-wide emphasis on sustainability continues to flourish.
The Sun Devil women's basketball team and the men's and women's swimming and diving squads recently upped the ante by becoming Sustainability Certified through University Sustainability Practices (USP). This certification is unique within collegiate sports, with Yale being the only other university in the country offering similar sports sustainability certification.
"ASU is a national leader in sustainability and we've been able to reach that status largely through partnerships and collaboration across the university," said ASU USP senior program coordinator Lesley Forst. "Sun Devil Athletics' commitment to sustainability is a perfect example of this, with support for sustainability at all levels, from staff, fans, and athletes. The leadership of women's basketball and swim and dive, who took initiative to be the first teams to be sustainability certified, is tremendously helpful in continuing to build a culture of sustainability at ASU."
Sport certification is designed to help the teams support ASU's sustainability goals and help foster a sustainability culture within Sun Devil Athletics. The sustainable sports program includes recycling and waste management, energy efficiency, green purchasing, transportation practices, and fan and community engagement, among others.
The certification is one of seven certification programs that is administered by University Sustainability Practices.
Sun Devil women's basketball was the first program to be certified, as they finished their certification during the 2016-17 season. Under head swimming coach Bob Bowman and head diving coach Mark Bradshaw, the men's and women's swimming and diving program became the first to become certified this season, and the second overall.
"For ASU swimmers, clean water and clean air are vital for our success and well-being," said Bowman. "I am proud of our program for its commitment to sustainability. Our stewardship of the natural resources is important and we take our responsibility to conserve and protect them very seriously."
In order to become certified, teams must complete an online checklist, which outlines various sustainability practices related to sports that they were either already doing, or that they must commit to complete in the future.
Participation in the sports certification is part of Sun Devil Athletics ongoing commitment to sustainability, as demonstrated through the state-of-the-art facilities that encompass sustainable practices, a zero-waste policy at every SDA ticketed event, and "green games" hosted by every team as a celebration of sustainability in sports.
This Sunday @ 2:30 take a study break from exams and come to the Women's Basketball #GreenGameASU, get free coffee and learn about sustainability at ASU while also watching an awesome game! ????????@SunDevilWBB @942Crew
— Zero Waste at ASU (@ZeroWasteASU) December 1, 2017
Promo code = GREENGAMEASU ???? pic.twitter.com/cHtEo3kJAW
"It was an honor to be the first team to complete the sustainability certification for sports at Arizona State University," said women's head basketball coach Charli Turner-Thorne. "Under the great leadership of Michael Crow, ASU has become a torchbearer for researching strategies and solutions that are paving the way for a better tomorrow. With sustainability being one of ASU's cornerstone disciplines, our program felt an obligation to educate ourselves and in turn use our platform to help inform others about the important role sustainability plays in our world. We look forward to continuing to partner with ASU's School of Sustainability and our fellow Sun Devil teams to get the word out about these important initiatives."
The department's investment into the vision of ASU President Michael Crow – to be carbon neutral by 2025 – can also be seen at all facilities with LED lights to reduce energy costs and heat gain, partnering with Sodexo for recyclable cups and other products, as well as emphasizing green products when it comes to cleaning supplies, hand towels, toilet paper and hand soap within all athletic facility restrooms.
Sun Devil Athletics and ASU anticipate more athletic programs to become certified in the near future, as the university-wide emphasis on sustainability continues to flourish.