Pitt Green Spotlight: Pitt Athletics Administrative Office & Strategic Communications (March 2024)

The Pitt Green Spotlight is a monthly series highlighting Pitt’s Green Offices & Labs! Each post highlights Pitt Green Offices and/or Labs, sharing their experiences implementing sustainable practices, tips and tricks, lessons learned, and opportunities for more sustainable work at Pitt.

We hope these Pitt Green Offices & Labs will inspire you to try out new sustainable practices in your own workspace! Want to be included in our next highlight? Contact us.

Pitt Green Office Spotlight

Pitt Athletics Administrative Office & Pitt Athletics Strategic Communications, Petersen Events Center

   

 

Pitt Athletics Administrative Office Team:  John Abrams, Jennifer Brown, Lori Burens, Blaire Ford, Martina Frederick, Dustin Grey, Chris Hoppes, Jordan Kara, Ellen Morrison, Jennifer Tuscano, Katie Stumpp, Ryan Varley, Angela Williams

Pitt Athletics Strategic Communications Team: Halle Angelo, Eric Davies, Joe Lassi, Dan Lee, Savanah Lemon, Ben Mitchell, Matt Plizga, Elisabeth Schmidt, Cassie Smith, Louie Spina

Pitt Green Offices since April 2023

Pitt Athletics is home to 17 teams and hundreds of student athletes, plus hosts thousands of fans at games and events year-round. Since 2023, Pitt Athletics has also had TWO Pitt Green Offices! In April 2023, the Pitt Athletics Administrative Office and Strategic Communications teams extended their efforts to promote sustainability in Athletics to their own office operations, leading by example (and supported by Pitt Athletics Sustainability Committee members Martina Frederick and Eric Davies).

 In addition to organizing Green Games each season, senior undergraduate Martina Frederick (who serves as the Athletics Student Sustainability Intern), organized Pitt Athletics’ Administrative Offices to take advantage of the Petersen Events Center’s unique sustainability opportunities. “I wanted to introduce the concept of sustainability to the office, mainly in the kitchenette, which included continuing to encourage employees recycle, compost, and use our K cup recycling box,” said Frederick. “We drink a lot of soda, so encouraging people to recycle cans was a big step. Putting up posters clarifying what’s recyclable and compostable was also a huge help in avoiding recycling contamination.”

Frederick has made it easier for office mates to reduce waste by making dish washing materials readily accessible (thus encouraging durable cutlery and reusable containers for meals). She’s also encouraged members Pitt Green Office team members to use natural light when possible (versus overhead lights) and eliminate or reduce use of personal fans and space heaters (to reduce energy use). As for what’s next, Frederick is working to focus on digital file sharing to reduce printing. 

In Athletics’ Strategic Communications office, Eric Davies is already forging ahead with digital communications, created a home for Sustainability on the Pitt Athletics website, and is pursuing opportunities to share tips on sustainable choices with game and event-day visitors to Petersen Events Center. 

Pitt Athletics has many future exciting sustainable opportunities also, including the Arena & Sports Performance Center (which is seeking LEED Gold certification), increased student athlete engagement in sustainability activities, and learning from other member schools of the Green Sports Alliance.

Interested in getting involved in Pitt Athletics Sustainability? Contact us or the Pitt Athletics Sustainability Committee!

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Thanks to Pitt Athletics’ Administrative Office and Strategic Communications for all their efforts!