Texas A&M University
IN-16: Green Athletics

Leaders in the Sustainability Space:
• 12th Man Sustainability – group of staff who meet on a regular basis to implement the Athletics Sustainability Master Plan
Leadership group: Scot Obergefell – Facilities, Rebekah Parkhill – Administration, David Taylor – Facilities, Lauren Lichterman –
Facilities

Social Sustainability
• Aggie Commitment – the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative within Aggie Athletics. The Aggie Commitment aims to develop and implement plans and strategies to increase equity and maintain an environment of inclusiveness. The Aggie Commitment is focused on promoting unity, education, and engagement.
Leadership group: Rebekah Parkhill – Associate Athletics Director, Kristen Brown – Deputy Athletics Director, Mikado Hinson – Director of Football Player Development/Associate Diversity Director, Joe Fields – Deputy Athletics Director, Ryan Pittsinger – Assistant Athletics Director, Director of Counseling and Sport Psychology
• Aggie B.L.U.E. Print – “Black Leaders who Undertake Excellence” is a student-athlete led organization to provide leadership opportunities and a sense of community while empowering Black individuals to use their voice.
Leadership group: Sahara Jones – President, MJ Johnson – Vice President, MaKhiya McDonald – VP / Chief Marketing Officer, Devante Mount – Chief Communications Officer, Jordan Chopane – Chief Student Athlete Engagement Officer, Wade Taylor – Chief Business Officer.

On October, 5th the Athletics Department launched the Athletics Sustainability Master Plan (ASMP). This plan is a living strategic document that serves as the guide for how the Athletics Department will support Texas A&M University in achieving the goals and actions set forth in its 2018 Campus Sustainability Master Plan for the next decade and beyond. The actions of 12th Man Sustainability will be to support the ASMP and execute the goals defined. Below are some of the actions taken this year:

• All athletic events have clearly marked recycling cans throughout the facility and are working towards a zero waste goal for all Athletics events. As part of our normal operation and service agreement with Brazos Valley Recycling, they sort through the trash collected, both after home athletic events as well as day to day, removing every item with the ability to be recycled or reused.
• We have a recycling team present during home football games through Brazos Valley Recycling to assist in our zero-waste initiative.
• While we do not certify our stadiums under a green building rating system, we utilize green building practices in the design and maintenance of buildings when feasible. Green building features include low flow toilets, showerheads, and sinks, recirculating pumps on all hot water heaters, and separation of all disposal materials during construction.
• TAMU contracts with Levy for in-game concessions and catering in hospitality spaces. Levy is currently participating in several sustainable purchasing initiatives:
o Souvenir cups are recyclable and are sold with the intent customers will retain them and reuse them at their homes. The cup was designed to fit on the top rack of a standard residential dishwasher. This was implemented to prevent the cup from melting and the end-user discarding it in the “trash” can.
o Fans have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative refillable 12th Man Tervis tumbler and/or maroon Yeti cup for use during the game. Fans take this high-quality product home with them, thus reducing the overall waste generated from beverage containers.
o Pepsi self-serve refill stations are available on the concourse to all fans. Refill stations reduce the overall waste generated from beverage containers.
o Food packaging from concessions to end-user are made from recyclable materials where feasible.
o Levy currently composts some of back-of-house food waste from both athletic competitions and special events.
o Levy separates and recycles all cardboard from athletic competitions and special events. They make other efforts back of house to recycle other materials where possible.
o Non-souvenir soda cups (purchased from Pepsi) are made from recyclable materials.
o % of concessions/catering locally-sourced
• TAMU Athletics partners with Transportation Services to provide sustainable travel options for athletic events. This year, the total ridership through off-campus shuttle methods were:

TAMU vs Total Ridership
New Mexico 26,312
ULM 22,212
Auburn 27,485
Alabama 27,126
South Carolina 22,619
Mississippi State 27,955
Total as of 11.4.23 153,709

• The Sport Fields unit installed portable water sensors in Kyle Field to collect soil moisture data weekly. This information is used to make irrigation management decisions in regard to when irrigation is needed and how much should be applied.