RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University and the EKU Athletics Department have always worked very closely with each other and tried to benefit off of each other when possible, and the new sustainability commitment throughout the campus is no different.
 
Set to launch this fall are two initiatives, one of which "Colonel's Cleanup" is a litter prevention initiative that athletics will participate in directly with the Office of Sustainability.
 
Each team is already required to do community service hours each year, but most of what they are able to do is off campus. This initiative will allow the student-athletes to experience a very large problem in their own backyard, giving them a drive to make a difference.
 
"Our student-athletes are heavily involved with organizations in the Richmond community, which is excellent, however this is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to get involved right here on campus," explained Josh Shipp, Athletic Academic Advisor/Life Skills Coordinator. "Keeping the 'campus beautiful', beautiful is of the utmost importance to our students, coaches, and staff."
 
The teams will have their own designated area, promoting a bit of fun, healthy competition among the athletes.
 
Student-athletes have a platform and when it is put to good use and others can see that they care about EKU's campus, hopefully it will get others to want to participate as well.