Join The Fight
By Stephen P. Ashkin
On March 29, 1966, at Toronto’s famed Maple Leaf Gardens, boxer Muhammad Ali beat George Chuvalo, whom a “panel of acclaimed boxing historians and experts unanimously named . . . the single toughest fighter ever to have lived in the entire history of the sport of boxing,” according to sportswriter Lou Eisen.1
Many boxing enthusiasts who were not even alive when that match took place likely have heard or read about it. However, Ali did something else in 1966 that most people living today might not be aware of, and this action had a much bigger impact, this time on the entire country. In trying to avoid being drafted into the U.S. military, Ali gave as one of the reasons, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong.”2
For some, 1966 was a significant turning point in the opposition to the Vietnam War. Shortly after Ali’s comment, the first national antiwar Mobilization Committee was established, which, along with other organizations, spearheaded a number of protests. And while disapproval had been growing, many historians believe it was this comment from one of the biggest sports stars of the era that helped mobilize many people to speak up and protest the war.
The Impact Of Sports
What happened in 1966 was not an example of the power of Ali, but an example of the power of professional sports. The industry—and professional sports is a major industry in the United States, raking in more than $145 billion annually—has a long-standing tradition of cultural influence that is growing every year.
Americans connect with professional sports, spend lots of money on them, talk about sports and sports stars, and even move to specific cities just to be near and support their favorite teams. While the numbers vary, studies indicate at least half to more than 60 percent of Americans “self-identify” with professional sports or certain teams, suggesting fans view professional sports as a significant part of their everyday lives.
So what does all of this have to do with park and recreation facilities? It can be demonstrated in four words: the Green Sports Alliance (TGSA). The “tangible” goals of TGSA are the following:
- To educate team owners, administrators, venue owners, and players so they can make professional sports “greener”
- To reduce waste, energy use, and water use
- To promote the three pillars of sustainability: profits, people, and planet.3
And in so doing, they can also help reduce their operating costs.
But one of the key “intangible” goals of TGSA is for millions of people—especially children who frequent park and recreation facilities—to notice the actions that their favorite teams are taking to become more environmentally responsible:
- Using water more efficiently (long-term water conservation)
- Reducing energy consumption and switching to sources such as solar and wind that are renewable
- Promoting healthier foods
- Decreasing waste and implementing recycling and composting programs.
Adopting Healthier Green Cleaning Strategies
And just so it doesn’t go unnoticed, TGSA encourages its more than 300 sports team members and venues in 20 different sports leagues and in 14 different countries to let their millions of fans know about the actions they are taking and of the various benefits.
About The Green Sports Alliance
According to its website, the Green Sports Alliance was formed to help professional and collegiate sports develop “practices and solutions to their environmental challenges that are cost-competitive and innovative.” Members can gain “a better understanding of how sporting events can be performed in an environmentally sensitive manner.”
An example of this is the Greener Cleaning Playbook, which would be perfect for park and recreation managers looking to green their facilities and for sports-venue managers to implement green cleaning strategies.
Among the topics covered are:
- Identifying and selecting green cleaning products, including chemicals, paper, liners, equipment, and other supplies
- Selecting a green cleaning janitorial-service provider
- Implementing a green cleaning program.
Included as well are case studies, a purchasing “toolkit,” sample green cleaning policies, and other materials that can prove valuable to park and recreation managers. Reading and learning how other facilities “greened” their operations and made them more sustainable provides a guide to what can be accomplished elsewhere—easily and cost effectively.
It’s All About The Children
Ultimately, the reason I have become so involved with the Green Sports Alliance is its potential influence on our kids. Today’s youngsters are already more focused on the environment than kids of previous generations, and my hope is that this focus will grow through the efforts of TGSA.
After all, in the final analysis the Green Sports Alliance has the same goal as park and recreation managers around the country: to provide a safe and healthy environment for the kids of today and the adults of tomorrow.
Stephen P. Ashkin is founder of the Green Cleaning Network, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating building owners and suppliers about Green Cleaning. He is the president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in Greening the cleaning industry. He is considered the “father of Green Cleaning,” on the Board of the Green Sports Alliance, and has been inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame (IGIHOF).
Footnotes:
1Lou Eisen, “45th Anniversary of George Chuvalo vs. Muhammed Ali,” FightNetwork.com, March 29, 2011.
2 In 1967 Ali was sentenced to 5 years in prison; however, the Supreme Court reversed his conviction in 1971, and he remained free while on appeal.
3 Sustainability now means much more than merely using natural resources more responsibly or using products that protect the environment. It is but one pillar of sustainability.
A sustainable organization also ensures that all workers are paid adequately, receive appropriate benefits, and take steps to better their communities. Economic sustainability, the third pillar, encourages organizations to make fair profits. A profitable business or industry is more likely to remain stable, provide well-paying jobs, and benefit the country and communities in which they are based.