2015 Conference

Poster Presentation

The Carbon Athletic Conference Project examines environmental, financial, and time costs of the Allegheny College softball team's participation in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), which includes teams from Indiana, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. These costs are compared to those incurred in a new theoretical Carbon Athletic Conference (CAC) that is constructed based on similarity of schools and reduction in travel among its schools. Proximity of schools was not a top priority in the making of the NCAC, presenting various drawbacks for many involved. This project aims to create a cleaner and more affordable alternative.

Environmental costs for both conferences included coach bus diesel fuel use and associated emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. Fuel consumption due to coach bus travel was estimated using distance traveled to competition sites and fuel efficiency values; emissions were estimated using EPA fuel emission factors. Financial cost estimations include the team’s payments for buses, hotel rooms, and food for all players, coaches, and drivers associated with conference game trips. Time estimates included travel to and from each competition site. In addition to environmental and financial cost examination, a survey was administered to Allegheny College student-athletes and coaches to gauge their opinions regarding preference to play in the NCAC, importance of factors deemed valuable in the makeup of an athletic conference, and productivity of time spent on campus versus riding a bus.

Moving from the current conference to a CAC, with a season that also includes non-conference games, will result in a 45% decrease in travel miles and emissions between the two conferences as a whole. Total miles driven for the NCAC is 22,370, compared to only 12,256 miles for the CAC. Carbon dioxide emissions decrease from 49.6 tons annually in the NCAC to 27.2 tons in the CAC. For the Allegheny College softball team specifically, switching to the CAC would bring a 66% decrease in travel miles and emissions due to transportation for conference games. Time saved in the new conference amounts to 158 hours per player or coach, or a total of approximately 3,474 hours for all travelers combined. A change in athletic conference makeup based on environmental and time considerations can result in these substantial reductions in fuel consumption and associated air pollution emissions. In addition, a conference change will result in significant savings of time for students and coaching staff, as well as financial savings for the institution. Time and financial savings can be reallocated to other priorities within the softball program or within the athletic department.