ACC Sports Sustainability
May 20-21, 2020
Due to COVID-19, the second annual ACC Sports Sustainability Conference was converted to a virtual symposium held on May 20-21.
The Atlantic Coast Conference leads the nation in collegiate athletics, academics and sustainability programs. The ACC Sustainability Virtual Symposium served as an opportunity to unite and leverage these strengths to showcase our collective impacts, learn from our peers and create a national platform to magnify our winning traditions. Link to symposium recap article
The engaging online symposium offered informative sessions, group discussions, speakers, networking opportunities and virtual tours. Topics included:
- Sustainability and student-athletes
- Fan engagement around sustainability
- Sustainability-related sponsorship and partnerships
- Strategic planning for sustainability
- Integrating sustainability into athletic operations
Symposium Recap & Session Recordings
Wednesday, May 20
Tune in to hear Athletics leadership from around the conference talk about the connection between sustainability and athletics. Session Recording Link
Moderator
- Dave Koehn, University of Virginia
Special Guests
- Lawrence (Bubba) Cunningham – Director of Athletics, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Boo Corrigan – Athletics Director, NC State University
Hear from student-athletes on empowerment, influence and action and how student-athletes can be leaders in sustainability. Session Recording Link
Moderator
- Sadey Rodriguez – Track & Field, University of Virginia
Guests
- Leon Krap – Men’s Soccer, NC State University
- Isla Bint – Field Hockey, Wake Forest University
- Abby McKinzie – Volleyball, Virginia Tech
- Nick Mosco – Wrestling, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Join a brainstorming session that connects the ‘how’ of best practices around engaging fans in sustainability on game day and every day. Session Recording Link
Moderator
- Dr. Jonathan Casper – Associate Professor, NC State University
Guests
- John Brunner – Associate Athletic Director for Event Management, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Brian Cohen – Sustainability Program Coordinator, Wake Forest University
- Dr. Brian McCullough – Associate Professor, Sport Ecology Group
Join us for an informal networking session with peers. Feel free to be festive in your school colors/gear!
Thursday, May 21
With the goal of one actionable follow-up, join a conversation around the how and what of sustainability sponsorships and translating campus sustainability to athletic sponsorship. Session Recording Link
Moderator
- Teddy Lhoutellier – Sustainability Manager, University of Miami
Guests
- Mike Sage – Director of Corporate Partnerships, Wolfpack Sports Properties
- Michael Beale – Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics Marketing, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Meghan Fitzgerald – Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing, NC State University
- Jessie O’Connell – Partnership Services Manager, Tar Heel Sports Properties
- James Mitchener – Sr. Director of Marketing, GFL Environmental
- Jason Cassidy – Director of Sales Operations, POWERHOME Solar
Exploring how to optimize sports sustainability through successful relationship building between sustainability staff and athletics operations staff. Session Recording Link
Moderator
- John Brunner – Associate Athletic Director for Event Management, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Guests
- Dave VanDeventer – Solid Waste, Recycling, and Composting Manager, Clemson University
- Aaron Boseman – Associate Director, Athletic Event & Facility Operations, Wake Forest University
- Laurie Swinger – Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities, Florida State University
- Edward Beven – Community Commitment and Olympic Facility Program Director, University of Notre Dame
- Matt Hess – Associate Director of Athletic Facilities, Game Operations & Championships, Duke University
Come prepared to discuss incorporating sustainability into one of the main initiatives brought on by the ACC Conference. How do we unify all our efforts into the larger conversation around sports and sustainability? Session Recording Link
Moderator
- Oppong Hemeng – Program Specialist, NC State University
Special Guest
- Amy Yakola – Chief of External Affairs, ACC
Conference Contact
Oppong Hemeng, NC State Sustainability