Like a young tree now taking root outside the NCAA national office, a fledgling effort within the Association’s staff is promising bigger and better things to come.
A group of 22 national office staff members, advised by a group whose members include institutional and conference administrators and student-athletes, is working to help the national staff assume a leadership role in encouraging healthy environmental habits.
The NCAA Green Team is tasked with guiding the national office staff in supporting the environment, conserving national resources and developing sustainability efforts. The team also is committed to increasing awareness of environmental issues locally, regionally and nationally.
To date, the team has launched recycling and sustainability efforts within the national office and other facilities, and plans are in the works to develop ways to incorporate sustainability initiatives into championships and other NCAA events.
Some of the work so far has been symbolic. Members of the national office staff celebrated Earth Week and Arbor Day this year by gathering on the office grounds to plant a tree. As that tree matures, hopes are high that the Green Team initiative will follow suit.
“We hope to add sustainability to our work and life with the national office in a planned and worthwhile manner to encourage action and awareness that will grow and be supported,” said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships and a Green Team member.
“We also want this to be a source of satisfaction and pride that we work for an Association that supports the environment and a source of fun and teamwork for the staff.”
Membership support for green initiatives has been evident on a variety of fronts, including among its leaders. The Division I Management Council played a crucial role in prompting the national office staff to take a leadership role.
“When the issue was raised at Management Council, it was met with some skepticism,” says Gloria Nevarez, senior associate director of athletics at Oklahoma and an advocate for the effort. “I think most questioned whether the Association should have a role relative to the issue of climate crisis.
“It was our Council’s hope that the national office would create the template to help us address environmental issues in the conduct of collegiate athletics.”
Nevarez and 15 other representatives of institutions and conferences – including six student-athletes – were named to the advisory group, which Comstock hopes will provide ideas for implementation within the national office, as well as suggest ways to raise awareness of environmental issues throughout the membership.
As the saying goes, from little things, big things grow.
“It is my continued hope that the NCAA example helps all of its members recognize that going green is possible on each of our campuses,” Nevarez says.
A tree growing outside the NCAA national office symbolizes the staff’s commitment to sustainability. Mary Jo McMullen/NCAA