USF Athletics Current Sustainability Initiatives:
USF is dedicated to sustainability both on campus and globally. All USF projects aim to meet or exceed the standard for recycling, energy conservation, and water conservation.
Member of the Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
USF Athletics celebrated Earth Day in 2019 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. 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.” - USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly
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.
USF Athletics Initiatives:
• Recycle stations/bins throughout all athletic facilities
• Cognizant of food catering orders to source responsibly and minimize waste
• The new $22 million Indoor Performance Facility is being built to a Silver standard under LEED guidelines
• Motion sensor sinks
• Low-flow kitchen and bathroom fixtures
• Use of sustainable construction materials
• Green standards are considered in all new builds
• LED lighting
• Athletic district layout – the majority of our sports/programs are within walking distance to the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center main building
* Proposed on-campus stadium location is within walking distance for students and easily accessible for public transportation
• Digital/mobile ticketing practices - making them paper free
• Blue Cleaning Program - supplies that are earth-friendly
• Re-fill water fountain stations that reduce the number of bottles used
• The uniform laundering process Athletics uses is more efficient than home laundering
Sustainability Initiatives that USF is considering moving forward:
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Solar panel installation
• Equipment that can use biodegradable fuel
• Recycling rainwater
• Multi-use facilities
