LEAFS (Leadership of Environmental Athletes for Sustainability) is a platform that provides opportunities for student-athletes who are eager to create positive sustainable changes within their team, which in turn develops their leadership skillset for future endeavors. It is a student-led group, assisted by staff members and logistical knowledge, to help passionate individuals create real change for years to come in athletics. This opportunity also helps those involved to become marketable to employers and develop a highly sought after skill in the work field, sustainability.
Cassidy Jenney, a former student-athlete on the rowing team, created the platform. During her time as a Buckeye, it was hard for Jenney to find the extra time to seek out resources about implementing sustainable initiatives within athletics while trying to balance her busy practice and academic schedules. When she moved into her role as a Sustainability Associate within the Ohio State Athletics Department, her main goal was to create a resource for current-student athletes.
Student-athletes have been incremental in building sustainability efforts within the athletics department. Many have taken it upon themselves to reach out to their coaches after seeing other athletics programs hosting zero waste events. Not only are these individuals extremely passionate, but they see the larger impact that sustainability can have on the Earth for years to come. After years of hosting zero waste events, the Ohio State synchronized swimming program wanted to expand on their efforts and implement climate change awareness at their Zero Waste Invitational. This inspired fencing team to do the same for the upcoming season in 2021.
The goal is to develop resources for student-athletes who are passionate about creating change. LEAFS was created to do just that, and will empower these individuals to intersect their passion for the environment with their sport.
To learn more about this group and to get involved, please contact ATH-Sustains@osu.edu.
