Chapel Hill Review

North Carolina's football home opener on Saturday, September 7 against Charlotte will also mark its second annual Champion Sustainability Game.

Made possible by Hanesbrands' $1 million foundational gift to the university to advance sustainability, the Champion Sustainability Game will highlight many of UNC's sustainability accomplishments and feature several elements, including:

Before the game, UNC students can pick up a sustainability game day t-shirt at Gate 6.

At halftime, spectators can tune into a sustainability radio interview with Chancellor Lee Roberts, Chief Sustainability Officer Mike Piehler, and Senior Associate Athletic Director Rick Steinbacher.

An in-game video will highlight information about student-athlete leadership, energy and water use, waste reduction, sponsorship and fan engagement.

"We are so pleased to host the second Champion Sustainability Game," Piehler said. "This year we are celebrating the collaboration between Sustainable Carolina and Carolina Athletics to produce a new Athletics Sustainability Report. The report lays out progress since 2016 and presents goals to continue progress around sustainability."

The game is sponsored by Sustainable Carolina and Champion, a partnership facilitated by LEARFIELD's Tar Heel Sports Properties, the University's athletic multimedia rights holder.

"We are thrilled to partner with Sustainable Carolina to showcase and educate fans and visitors about sustainability while cheering on Carolina Football," Steinbacher said. "When it comes to sustainability, it's key that everyone does their part."

The Carolina Sustainability Council, formed in 2020, advises the Chancellor on strategies for a greener campus. The Council established Sustainable Carolina, the University's sustainability team within the UNC Institute for the Environment. The University's plans and resulting actions have led to positive outcomes around greenhouse gas emissions as well as water and waste footprints.

Through its partnership with Hanesbrands, Sustainable Carolina created the Champion Sustainability Fund. This green revolving fund led to new LED lighting in Kenan Stadium and Carmichael Arena. The projects increase energy efficiency and reduce operations costs; money saved from energy savings is reinvested for future sustainability projects.

Read the 2024 Athletics Sustainability Report.

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