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 2016 Aerial photography over Boulder and the CU Bouder campus. (Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)
CU's Indoor Practice Facility has the largest solar array on campus.
Photo by: University of Colorado

CU's George Honored For Spearheading Athletics' Role In Campus Sustainability Efforts

April 21, 2020 | General, Neill Woelk

BOULDER — It is perhaps only fitting that Colorado Athletic Director Rick George be honored with a CU Campus Sustainability Award on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

After all, George has been instrumental in not only guiding the Athletic Department to the forefront of the sustainability effort, but also helping ensure that the entire CU Boulder campus continues its long legacy as a leader in the sustainability charge.

When George took the reins as CU's athletic director in 2013, there were some sustainability pieces already in place. Ralphie's Green Stampede, the nation's first NCAA Division I sustainability program, had started a few years earlier and had quickly become the nation's collegiate leader as well as a model program for other universities.

But George took CU Athletics to another level when he spearheaded the construction/remodel of a new athletic complex that would ultimately include four LEED Platinum buildings — the Champions Center, Indoor Practice Facility, Dal Ward Center and CU Events Center practice facility.

That dovetailed perfectly with a campus-wide movement aimed toward making CU a worldwide leader in the sustainability movement.

"Our goal is nothing less than being the global leader in sustainability," CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano said in the 2014 CU Boulder STARS (Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System) report. "That aspiration carries with it great responsibility to advance on all fronts."

CU Athletics has certainly carried its share of the load in that area. These are just some of the highlights of the past few years:

— In January, the Buffs won their second straight Pac-12 Zero Waste Challenge overall title. CU is the first major college sports program to implement a zero waste program in all of its gameday venues, teaming up with multiple campus partners to operate the gameday recycling system.

— CU's net-zero-energy Indoor Practice Facility includes an 850-kilowatt rooftop solar array -- the largest on the CU Boulder campus -- and daylighting technologies that are sufficient to deliver on-field illumination for practices.

— In a partnership with Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL), the Buffs in 2019 introduced an "infinitely recyclable aluminum cup" to fans at the Sept. 7 home opener against Nebraska. CU became the first program in America to use the lightweight cups at a collegiate sporting venue, and they proved to be an immediate hit as well as a huge recycling boon.

— In 2019, CU became the first university in the nation to sign the United Nations Sports For Climate Action Framework, joining other entities such as the New York Yankees, the NBA and the International Olympic Committee. The accord requires entities to not only reduce their own climate impact but also leverage the prominent platform of sports to drive climate awareness and action.

— The Athletic Department's efforts have helped CU earn a STARS "Gold Campus" rating, as well as help CU become the first AAU campus to earn a Sierra Club No. 1 rating.

— Since the formation of Ralphie's Green Stampede in 2008, CU Athletics has produced: a zero-waste program in all venues; zero net water use practices in all facilities; a zero-waste, car-free tailgating zone; and award-winning fan engagement programs.

— CU was a driving force in the creation of the Pac-12 Sustainability Conference, an event that gathers representatives from each conference member for information and competition planning. 

It is all an effort of which George is understandably proud, and one he stresses will continue to be a point of emphasis for CU Athletics.

 "Sustainability has been and is a very important part of who we are at CU," he said earlier this year. "We will continue to collaborate on our campus and with our peers to continue to elevate our profile."

George is one of eight people and entities to be honored this year by the Campus Sustainability Awards committee.

 "I'm honored to receive a Campus Sustainability Award," George said. "It's really a reflection of the hard work and passion put forth by many over the years to ensure that CU Athletics is leading and helping to elevate the university's proud history of sustainability leadership."


Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu