ABSTRACT
The role and relevance of environmentally sustainable practices, under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility (CSR), have recently received increased attention in the realm of sport. This chapter examines the environmental components of CSR within the context of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and member schools. The primary focus is on the role American intercollegiate athletic department personnel play in the development and implementation of environmentally sustainable practices. The chapter highlights recent research regarding sustainability efforts in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) universities (n=97). Athletic department personnel were surveyed with the aim of establishing a foundation to better understand environmental awareness among department personnel and the strategies they used in the decision-making and implementation stages of existing programs. The results reveal that, despite high levels of environmental concern, there are significant challenges associated with a lack of knowledge about sustainability initiatives. In addition, the results raise questions about the coordinated efforts between the athletic department personnel and other units of the university (e.g., sustainability offices). Throughout the chapter, examples of strategic environmental efforts from NCAA universities are provided to augment the research findings. It concludes by providing suggestions for future research for sustainability efforts in the area of CSR and the broader issue of environmental responsibility within intercollegiate athletic departments.
