Jack and Susan Groh, directors of NFL Environmental Program to present for Friday's Sustainability Showcase
By Penn State NewsAt noon Friday, April 3, Jack and Susan Groh, director and assistant director of the NFL Environmental Program, will virtually present "Super Bowl and the NFL Sustainability Model" as part of the Council of Sustainable Leaders' Sustainability Showcase Series.For more than two decades, the Super Bowl has been recognized as the “greenest” professional sports championship in America and each year, the NFL pushes the envelope further toward sustainability. Attendees will learn about the challenges faced by this mega-event to reduce environmental impact and create a green legacy in each host community. Jack and Susan Groh have led this effort from the beginning and were the creators of America’s sport sustainability movement.“I am so happy that we are able to continue hosting this series in a virtual format because in a world filled with so much chaos, uncertainty, and loss,” explained Maddy Mitchell, director, Council of Sustainable Leaders and junior recreation, park, and tourism management major. “This is something that brings me hope and reinvigorates passion and drive in a community that is continuously growing.”The Sustainability Showcase had been previously held in the HUB over the lunch hour, but the students moved quickly to convert the events to a virtual platform after remote classes began.“With the series being virtual for the remainder of the semester, we are able to bring in speakers from all over, like Jack and Susan, who are phenomenal leaders in the sports sustainability world, but also charismatic human beings who are constantly looking for ways to strengthen communities while reducing their carbon footprint.”Penn State has a working relationship with the NFL Environmental Program to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and networking opportunities in the sports sustainability field. In April 2019, Penn State students participated in the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville, Tennessee, by volunteering to educate spectators on the direct connection between sports and sustainability.Friday's presentation is accessible here. The program is student-led, supported by the Sustainability Institute, and co-sponsored by many Penn State colleges, offices and institutes. More information can be found on the CSL website.