Community Engagement
GAME PLAN
Michigan Athletics has a unique opportunity to showcase the University of Michigan’s commitment to sustainability. From daily operations to reduce carbon emissions and waste, to large-scale collective experiences such as zero-waste football gamedays, we are committed to advancing sustainability.
LONG-RANGE GOALS
- Engage student-athletes, coaches, team members, and fans as active participants in sustainability
- Demonstrate our commitment to sustainability through programs, initiatives and building design and operations
- Prioritize sustainability in decision-making processes
INITIATIVES
- Provide sustainability training and education customized to specific job roles
- Host zero-waste meetings
- Achieve multiple "sustainable workplace" certifications
- Highlight sustainability efforts through appropriate communication channels
STUDENT-ATHLETE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
Our Mission: To elevate student-athlete voices and champion actionable sustainability initiatives within the Athletics Department, creating a culture where environmental responsibility and athletic excellence go hand in hand.
WHO WE ARE
The Student-Athlete Sustainability Initiative (SASI) is a student-led organization of varsity student-athletes dedicated to advancing sustainability within Michigan Athletics. We believe that student-athletes are uniquely positioned to understand the impacts and opportunities within athletic spaces -- from training facilities and gameday operations -- to team travel and equipment management.
OUR STORY
SASI emerged from a simple but powerful idea: student-athletes shouldn't just participate in environmental efforts -- they should actively lead them.
In partnership with club sponsors, Paul Dunlop (Associate Athletic Director for Facility Operations and Capital Projects) and Sara Soderstrom (Associate Professor, Organizational Studies & Program in the Environment), Senior Captain and Women’s Soccer goalkeeper, Sophie Holman, expressed her vision to create meaningful change within Michigan Athletics. Holman launched SASI's first meeting in October 2025, bringing together student-athletes ready to make their impact.
WHAT WE DO
SASI serves as a bridge between the Athletics Department administration and student-athletes. By promoting dialogue and collaboration, we identify innovative approaches to create positive environmental impact, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, climate action and healthy environments.
Student-athletes experience Michigan Athletics from the inside. They observe which practices work, which don't, and where opportunities for improvement exist. They understand the rhythms of training, competition and recovery. They see firsthand how decisions about facilities, equipment, food and travel impact both performance and the environment.
This insider perspective, combined with visibility and influence, makes SASI a powerful advocate for sustainable change. When student-athletes champion sustainability, it resonates: with teammates, coaches, fans and the broader campus community.
For more information on SASI and how to join, visit @sasiumich on Instagram.
