Green initiatives being implemented department-wide
TAMPA, APRIL 22, 2019 – USF Athletics is celebrating Earth Day by announcing its membership in the Green Sports Alliance (GSA) and the implementation of green initiatives throughout the department and its athletic facilities.
“USF Athletics is proud and excited to be joining organizations from around the world that are utilizing the sports platform to promote health and sustainability in our communities,” USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said. “We are committed to being great partners and leaders in our community. Working with the Green Sports Alliance to institute green initiatives throughout USF Athletics and to educate our student-athletes and staff in environmentally responsible practices furthers that mission, as we join those helping lead the way toward a sustainable future.”
The GSA was conceived and founded by Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Inc. and the Natural Resources Defense Council and was launched in 2011. It is an environmentally-focused trade organization that convenes stakeholders from around the sporting world to promote healthy, sustainable communities. Members include nearly 600 organizations, spanning professional sports leagues, sports governing bodies, colleges, teams, venues and fans representing 15 leagues in 14 countries.
The GSA is committed to creating awareness and dedicated to creating meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. It shares resources, experience, and expertise to raise awareness of what’s environmentally possible in sports, business, and society while mobilizing sports organizations, communities, athletes, and fans to create sustainable progress and behavior change.
Among the green initiatives being implemented by USF Athletics is the location of recycling bins throughout the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center at all employee desks as well as key locations near copy machines and lobbies.
The Yuengling Center has located recycling bins throughout concourse, lobbies and hospitality spaces and the arena is utilizing single stream recycling for cardboard, aluminum and plastic bottles. Food catering in the arena is sourced responsibly to minimize the impact on the environment and practices have been implemented to promote the conservation of water and energy and minimize the impact of waste disposal.
Raymond James Stadium has recycling bins located throughout the stadium as well as outside the stadium and in parking lots. The stadium seating area is picked after events for recyclable items such as cans and bottles and cardboard, plastic and paper recycling is conducted throughout the stadium and staff offices.
GREEN SPORTS ALLIANCE
The Green Sports Alliance leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities where people live and play. The Alliance inspires professional sports leagues, sports governing bodies, colleges, teams, venues, their partners and millions of fans to embrace renewable energy, healthy food, recycling, water efficiency, safer chemicals and other environmentally preferable practices. Alliance members now number nearly 600 organizations and fans representing 15 leagues in 14 countries.
About USF Athletics
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men’s and women’s teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls’ athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 53rd season in 2018-19. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 17 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, including at least three in each of the last three seasons. Nine USF programs reached national post-season competition in the 2017-18 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the third straight year in 2017-18 and have posted a program record eight straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has seen more than 200 student-athletes earn their degree in the last two years.
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– #GoBulls –
Brian Siegrist
Associate AD–Communications
University of South Florida
GoUSFBulls.com
@USFFootball @USFAthletics
#BullStrong #BayMade
