The Rundown - 5 Teams That Are Proving Going Green Is A Team Effort
This weekend people all over the world will celebrate Earth Day and continue the message of conservation. We wondered what some of the most influential figures in America, sports teams, are doing to lessen their carbon footprint.
Kermit said it wasn’t easy being green,
The Last Night’s Game Team
The Rundown - 5 Teams That Are Proving Going Green Is A Team Effort
- Ohio State University boasts one of the biggest stadiums in college football, seating roughly 105,000. It’s big and mighty and it’s a “zero waste” stadium which means 90% or more of the trash created avoids landfills through recycling, repurposing and composting. OSU sits at 95.45% waste free.
- The home of the Sacramento Kings (basketball) is 100% solar powered. When it opened in 2016 it was the first LEED Platinum arena in the world, representing the top three percent of buildings certified.
- CONSOL Energy Center, where the Pittsburgh Penguins call home, was the first NHL (National Hockey League) arena to achieve Gold LEED certification. The certification was awarded partly because of their use of local construction materials, low flow plumbing fixtures and a partnership to donate leftover concession food to local food banks.
- The Forest Green Rovers are a soccer team from Western England and they are leading the charge with the “Greening up Football” campaign. (Our soccer is their football). Not only do they set an example with solar panels, making the field organic and energy efficient lighting but they’ve stopped serving meat at the stadium. Yes, they are meat free. Literally putting the money where your mouth is.
- The Boston Red Sox home field advantage is an urban farm. The 5,000 square foot rooftop farm generates 4,000 pounds of produce annually to be used in the stadium.
- There are over 400 teams from 15 different sports in 14 countries who members of the Green Sports Alliance. To find out more about their impact, click here.
Overtime
- Superstar Carrie Underwood surprised everyone when she brought down the house by singing the national anthem before the NHL playoff game between the Chicago Blackhawks and her husband’s Nashville Predators. Apparently, she was good luck because the Predators won to take a commanding lead in the series.
Sideline stat
- Adidas is in hot water this morning for sending out a congratulatory email to runners of Monday’s race with the subject line “Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon.” Critics say the poorly worded subject line is insensitive to the three people killed and 206 injured in the Boston Marathon bombing. Insert foot (or keyboard) in mouth.
Coaches’ corner
- Former New England Patriots (NFL – National Football League) star Aaron Hernandez, who was serving out a life sentence in prison for murder, was found dead in his cell early this morning. Officials say he hung himself.
The Rundown: Monday Mash-up
We’re helping you avoid awkward silences one day at a time. If only sports could help you avoid all of life’s awkward moments.
It’s not you, it’s me,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- His legend lives on. This Saturday and every April 15th MLB celebrates “Jackie Robinson Day.” Every year players and coaches on every team wear Robinson’s iconic #42 in honor of MLB's first African American player. The #42 is the only number to be retired by all MLB teams.
- Somebunny’s funny. Hanley Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox took his Easter celebration to a whole new level, creating bunny whiskers out of his eye black for the game.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Tough loss. Boston Celtics player Isiah Thomas lost his sister in a car accident the day before his team's first game in the playoffs. It was an emotional start to the game for Thomas but he managed to pull it together and led his team in points. Despite his efforts, the Chicago Bulls (#8) upset his Celtics (#1) to take the series lead.
NFL (National Football League)
- What to watch for. Just when you were finally getting over football season, it’s back again. Everyone in the sports world is teeming with excitement because the regular season NFL schedule will be released this week. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates.
Overtime
- In a playoff game this weekend, Columbus Blue Jackets Zach Werenski took a puck to the face. Once the bleeding stopped and even though he could barely see, he returned to the ice. Playoff hockey translates to an unbelievable amount of toughness and injuries that aren’t too flattering (see pic here). Sadly, even Werenski’s determination couldn’t bring his team a win.
Sideline stat
- This weekend Ohio State Buckeye super fan Jacob Jarvis, who is wheelchair bound from muscular dystrophy, had his dream come true. In a spring game in front of 82,000 Buckeye fans, Jarvis scored a touchdown to end the game. Simply awesome.
Coaches’ corner
- Today is known as Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts, commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord, which began of the American Revolutionary War. The day is marked by the running of the Boston Marathon and the Boston Red Sox (baseball) play an early game. The early game is so baseball fans can catch the end of the marathon after the game.
The Rundown – It’s Going To Be A Wild Ride
The NHL playoffs are in full swing and buckle up because the NBA playoffs start on Saturday. Don’t get too excited because the basketball playoffs are like a Power Point presentation, they go on forever. (Seriously, they’re over mid-June).
Here’s to brevity,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Just the facts. The Golden State Warriors (Western conference) and Boston Celtics (Eastern conference) are the #1 seeds this year in the playoffs. Although you could have a case of déjà vu because the Warriors and LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers (who won last year) have met in two straight finals, will this be the third? Here’s the playoff schedule.
- If you’re into great basketball. Watch the Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder series which features two MVP candidates in Russell Westbrook (Thunder) and James Harden (Rockets – who dated Khloe Kardashian).
- Shoe snooze. Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry tops the NBA’s list of the most popular jersey sold for the second consecutive season. While fans may like his jersey, they don’t love his new shoes. One fan mocked the leather basketball shoes calling them “the La-Z-Boy 7s” for their couch-like look.
Overtime
- Arizonan Becca Longo became the first female to sign a national letter of intent to play for a Division I or II football program. A kicker, Longo committed to Adams State where she also intends to play basketball. A woman of many talents.
Sideline stat
- 50/50 raffles are big fundraisers at sporting events. Of the money raised by selling tickets, 50% of the pot goes to a fan and 50% goes to a charity. Even though the Edmonton Oilers (NHL - National Hockey League) lost their playoff game, a couple left the game happy winning $254,000 in the raffle. The cherry on top of winning one of the largest 50/50 prizes in sports history? Canadians aren’t taxed on these winnings.
Coaches’ corner
- Longtime chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dan Rooney, passed away yesterday at the age of 84. Rooney had a huge impact on the NFL (National Football League) by helping settle labor disputes and pushing diversity. He will forever be known for the “Rooney Rule,” which states that a minority coach must be interviewed for all head coaching positions.