SDSU Athletics Makes NCAA History

What’s wet and blue, but green all over?

This year’s NCAA Division I Women’s Water Polo Championship, hosted by SDSU Athletics May 14 through 16. The event, in line with other SDSU initiatives, will be more “green” than ever, thanks to SDSU Athletics.

Showcasing Aztecs’ commitment to sustainability

Hosting the NCAA tournament is an opportunity for the Aztecs to share their values on a national scale. SDSU has been a leader in sustainability initiatives since 2006, when SDSU Associated Students’ Green Love Initiative first started encouraging campus facilities to go green. The crown jewel of these facilities is the Aztec Aquaplex, which opened in 2007.

“The SDSU student body’s initiative to equip our campus with sustainable facilities, such as the Aztec Aquaplex, enables us to be a national leader with NCAA facilities,” said SDSU Associate Athletic Director Jenny Bramer. “It only makes sense to expand the effort to include eco-friendly expectations in our management of the event.”

Bramer, NCAA Tournament manager, leads the green initiative for the championship. The Aztec Aquaplex is equipped with an 8,000-square-foot solar water-heating panel on the roof of its shade structure and recently installed three separate ground-mounted arrays. The ground-mounted panels provide electricity to the building and pool pump.

Together, these solar panels preserve emissions and cut electricity costs by more than $35,000 per year, and generate enough solar power to reduce 299,940 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.

For the NCAA Water Polo Championship, SDSU will be a showcase for sustainability. With electronic marketing, printing scorecards and programs on recycled paper with soy-based ink, and using rechargeable batteries, SDSU will be cutting down waste enormously.

Other green initiatives include:

• Using refillable water bottles
• Utilizing local organic concession options
• Recycling receptacles
• Using CFL light bulbs and a solar energy-powered score clock
• Planning meetings via teleconference
• Disseminating the tournament manual and visitors guide electronically

The pre-tournament banquet will feature local and organic foods from Aztec Shops, and any waste from the banquet will be composted.

“We are very proud to host the first ‘green’ NCAA Division I Championship,” said Carin Crawford, SDSU women’s water polo head coach. “I am certain the water polo community will enthusiastically share our commitment to go green.”  

“As water polo players, we love water, swimming and outdoor aquatic activities of all varieties,” Crawford added. “The water polo community generally has a strong connection to the coastline and the ocean, and with that comes awareness of how each of us can make a difference for the environment with our actions and our choices.”  

SDSU’s efforts have not gone unnoticed as NCAA Water Polo Committee members have noted the SDSU Athletics Department’s creativity and innovation used throughout the planning process for this year’s championship. This fusion of athletic competition and sustainability produces an entirely new type of hybrid—one that sports fans and the atmosphere can be excited about.

“An eco-friendly NCAA championship hosted by San Diego State is a great fit,” said Marcus Blossom, assistant director of championships for the NCAA. “The NCAA has increased its emphasis on conserving our natural resources and San Diego State certainly embodies that mindset. This championship will not only provide a positive athletic experience for our student-athletes, but it will be educational for the participants and fans alike.”

For more information on the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship

For more information, visit NCAA.com and click on the “Championships” tab to find the Women’s Water Polo link, or visit goaztecs.com.  Here, fans can find game times, team rankings, multimedia and more.

Ticket prices are as follows:

All Session 3-day Passes (on sale March 1)

• $50 for adults
• $25 for youth 3 - 14, seniors 55+, student, military, faculty/staff

Single Day Passes (on sale May 14)

• $20 for adults
• $12 for youth 3 - 14, seniors 55+, student, military, faculty/staff

About the SDSU water polo program

In 2007, the Aztecs made their first appearance in the NCAA water polo championship, where they finished fourth in the nation, and returned to the 2008 tournament and a fifth-place finish.

This year, the Aztecs are off to a promising start. In January, the Aztecs beat the five-time defending national champs, UCLA, at the Michigan Kick-Off.