Sustainability in athletic departments is topic of speech, panel discussion

Jonathan Casper, associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at North Carolina State University, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 in room 204A, Gorecki Center, College of Saint Benedict.

The topic of Casper's speech is "Environmental Sustainability in Collegiate Athletics: Coordination and Integration." Following Casper's speech, a panel discussion will be held on the topic. The event is free and open to the public.

Casper's study reviewing the relationship between institutional sustainability commitments and sustainability efforts by athletic departments at Division I schools was published in 2012 by the Journal of Sport Management. He recently completed a similar study involving Division III schools.

In both studies, Casper surveyed athletic directors and asked them their awareness of sustainability efforts at their institutions, as well as their power to make changes and choices related to sustainability within the athletic department. Those changes deal with a variety of issues, including travel for games and events, uniforms and concession sales.

The panel will speak on sustainability efforts within the athletic departments at both CSB and SJU. Panelists include Derek Larson, professor of environmental studies and history at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University; Tom Stock, director of athletics at SJU; Carol Howe-Veenstra, director of athletics at CSB; and Brad Sinn, executive director of facilities at CSB. Casper will answer questions from both the panel and the audience.

Casper received his bachelor's degree from Pitzer College, and his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Northern Colorado.

Casper's research interests focus on the role of sport and recreation related to active living and the quality of life, and sport and the environment.

He has made presentations to the Active Living Research Conference, the North American Society for Sports Management, the Sport Marketing Association Conference and the National Park and Recreation Association Conference.

The event is sponsored by the CSB Office of Sustainability; the CSB athletic department; and the exercise science and sport studies department at CSB and SJU.