Athletics Sustainability

Promoting Sustainability in Sport

Carolina Athletics has a legacy. We played our first football game in 1888. In 1924, we got our mascot, Rameses. Generations of coaches, athletes and staff, along with countless national championships have helped the program become what it is today.

Committing to environmental, social and economic sustainability is a natural extension of the Carolina Athletics mission. In 2016, the University published its first Athletics Sustainability Plan. In 2024, that plan was updated to reflect recent accomplishments and new developments.

Hubert Davis, Karen Shelton and Bubba Cunningham pose for a photo following their visit to the UNC Board of Trustees full board meeting held at The Carolina Inn. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

“We have made significant strides in becoming a more sustainable organization, and we are not finished yet. Along with campus and community partners, we are determined to improve, innovate, and continue to be a leader in sustainable athletics.” -Carolina Athletics Director Lawrence R. “Bubba” Cunningham

Champion Sustainability Fund

The Champion Sustainability Fund is the University’s green revolving fund, established through a $1 million gift from Hanesbrands, Inc. Sustainable Carolina used this funding to invest in LED lighting projects for Kenan Stadium and Carmichael Arena. Along with making game day more exciting, these lights decrease energy consumption, resulting in an increase in energy efficiency.

Learn more about this funding source by visiting the Champion Sustainability webpage. This page also has details on eligible projects and how University units can apply for funding.

UNC football players dance and greet students during the annual Weeks Of Welcome pep rally at Kenan Memorial Stadium, featuring new LED lights. (Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Fan Engagement as a Gateway to Sustainability

Athletics are a conduit for knowledge and inspiration.

In 2023 and 2024, Sustainable Carolina sponsored its signature Champion Sustainability Football Game. In 2023, Sustainable Carolina worked with GreenPlaces, a company founded by Carolina Alum Alex Lassiter, to create a special landing page for the event. The page directed fans to Sustainable Carolina’s goals and initiatives in a fun, interactive and engaging format.

The 2023 game highlighted HanesBrands and Champion’s commitment to enhancing sustainability at the University. The 2024 game highlighted the release of the 2024 Athletics Sustainability Report.

As we continue this work with Athletics, we aim to sponsor a game every year and make them better than the last. We also hope to branch out to other sports and venues.

Athletics Sustainability Report

Sustainable Carolina and Carolina Athletics collaborated to create the 2024 Athletics Sustainability Plan. It was released ahead of the second annual Champion Sustainability Game, held in September 2024.

Using the ACC Sustainability Team’s framework as a guide, this plan builds off the University’s inaugural plan, published in 2016. It covers five areas: Student-athlete leadership, academics and research, operations and efficiency, sponsorships and marketing, and fan and community engagement.

Athletics Sustainability Report