Loyola University Chicago Athletics

SUSTAINABILITY


At Loyola, sustainability is an important value of our mission of social justice and education. Our student-athletes are involved, both on- and off-the-court in leadership development, self-improvement and service. Athletic programs, competitions and events have an important role to play regarding our environmental impact and how we engage and communicate with the community.

Here are just a few of the activities Loyola Athletics has spearheaded in order to be more sustainable:

Zero Waste Games – Through a partnership of Loyola Athletics, Student Development, Loyola Housekeeping, Office of Sustainability, and Loyola Dining, all events provide composting and recycling options with a goal of 90% diversion from the landfill. Starting in 2019, all games in Gentile Arena were made zero waste by adding zero waste stations and eliminating concessions items that can't be recycled or composted. 

The first Zero Waste Game took place in 2012 and was led by Loyola's undergraduate Student Government. The 2016 Zero Waste Game was recognized for the highest game day diversion with a rate of over 97 percent! That game became an annual tradition and through that process and a student project in fall of 2018, Loyola piloted new signage and new materials. This learning was than operationalized by the various parties and went into effect January 27, 2019. Attendees to games will see Zero Waste Stations around the arena and hear promotional messages helping guide guests in proper waste sorting and other sustainability action.
 
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Impacts – Student-led projects have analyzed the environmental impacts from energy use and travel associated with athletic programs. A project in 2017 replaced 800 bulbs in 100 fixtures in Gentile Arena leading to a 74 percent reduction in electricity use. This project paid for itself in less than 18 months. 

The ‘footprint’ of athletics is relatively small compared to other programs but is actively growing with the future expansion plans of our teams and opportunities to play more sustainably are being considered by the Athletics Department. 

Athletes in Service – Loyola’s athletes are leaders on the field, in the classroom and also in the community. Volunteer service opportunities help our neighboring communities through service projects and work days.

FACILITIES

Loyola was recognized in 2019 with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletic's Sustainability Award. This award honors athletic directors and their universities for incorporating sustainable practices and materials into their facilities. Read below about other steps Loyola has taken to green our athletic spaces. 

Norville Athletics Center – Norville is the home to Loyola Athletics and is a LEED Silver Certified green building (77,000 sq.ft). It has a number of innovative features including greenroofs, locker rooms, weight training facilities, coach's offices, tutoring spaces and study lounge, physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities, and medal room for the varsity athletic programs at Loyola's Lake Shore Campus.

Not long after opening, a project with environmental science students identified this building as a risk to migratory birds. In response, new marketing graphics were added to the building’s windows. Operations are modified each migration season to reduce hazards to the tens of thousands of birds that fly past the Loyola campus each spring and fall. 

Alfie Norville Practice Facility – The Alfie is a LEED Silver practice facility opened in 2019. This home for court-based sports has six courts and is connected directly to the Norville Center and Gentile Arena. The Alfie Center has a unique extensive green roof providing green space, stormwater absorption, and reducing the urban heat island and displays Loyola's own mascot, Lu the Wolf, in the vegetation.

Joseph H. Gentile Arena - The home to Loyola court sports, basketball and volleyball, the arena was renovated in 2011 into a state-of-the-art venue featuring high efficiency media, signage, and lighting. It is also home to the Zero Waste Games program and other special events throughout the year. 

Sean Earl Field – Located directly adjacent to the Athletics complex, this open space is available for intramural and club sports and has an innovative stormwater management system that stores and slowly releases rain water during heavy events. This takes water out of the sewer and helps alleviate flooding in lower lying areas of the system and in neighboring basements. The field is landscaped with native and urban-hardy plant species providing important forage and refuge for native and migratory birds and other wildlife.

Loyola is committed to sustainability in our educational experience for all students and has been recognized with multiple awards and is consistently listed in the top 10 for sustainability in higher education. You can learn more about sustainability at Loyola at LUC.edu/SustainLoyola.