Cleveland State University wins SportsArt Campus Challenge at NIRSA 2024

Selected in a random drawing during the NIRSA 2024 All Conference Social, Cleveland State University (CSU) emerged as the grand prize winner of the nationwide SportsArt Campus Challenge sweepstakes. The accolade awards more than $70,000 worth of premium, energy-generating cardio equipment to The CSU Rec Center.

“Cleveland State University is excited to partner with SportsArt with the placement of their ECO-POWR™ cardio equipment,” Nick Froelich, CSU Director of University Recreation and Wellbeing, says. “The equipment achieves on our department’s strategic priorities by offering physical, environmental, and financial wellness opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding CSU community.”

Celebrating sustainability at NIRSA 2024

Two Campus Challenge finalists were randomly selected from a pool of qualified entries, and NIRSA 2024 attendees witnessed the drawing for the winner live during the All Conference Social in Phoenix.

The challenge, issued by NIRSA Gold Partner SportsArt, called on college students to pledge their dedication to sustainable living on campus through creative TikTok videos. The initiative sparked a wave of environmental commitments and showcased the ingenuity of students in embracing eco-friendly practices.

“It’s inspiring to see not only our member campuses but also our corporate partners embrace and celebrate sustainable communities, one of NIRSA’s core values,” NIRSA Director of Corporate Relations Emily Hughes reflects. “This collaboration exemplifies the power of collective effort in driving meaningful change and fostering environments where wellbeing and sustainability can thrive. We are proud to support initiatives like the SportsArt Campus Challenge that align with our mission and values, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our campus communities.”

University of Michigan secures second place

Second-place winner University of Michigan will receive $43,000 worth of innovative ECO-POWR™ equipment from SportsArt. The equipment, like that awarded to CSU, converts human energy into usable electricity, feeding into the electrical grid and reducing the carbon footprint on campus.

To view all the creative and inspiring submissions from the SportsArt Campus Challenge, search #SportsArtCampusChallenge on TikTok.

Championing sustainability through action

Laura Garvin, CSU graduate supervisor of recreation programming, emphasizes the significance of sustainability on campus in her winning submission. “Our University Recreation and Wellbeing team embodies this through environmentally friendly programs and services,” she says. “SportsArt equipment aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals. We are so excited that SportsArt has given us the opportunity to continue to maintain a sustainable campus!”

Laura’s TikTok pledge to always turn the lights off before leaving a room exemplifies the everyday actions students can take to contribute to a more sustainable future. Similarly, University of Michigan students Dillon and Chase committed to daily recycling, showcasing their dedication to reducing waste on campus.

Revolutionary, grid-feeding equipment

By awarding the ECO-POWR™ equipment to CSU, SportsArt not only enhances the university’s fitness offerings but also reinforces a larger mission.

“We are so excited that CSU won the first-ever SportsArt Campus Challenge sweepstakes,” says Ruben Mejia, Executive Vice President, SportsArt Americas. “The pure creativity and passion within the TikTok submissions tells you everything you need to know about college students—that they are going to change the world for the better. With many small gestures, we can make big changes for the good of our planet. With the ECO-POWR™ line of equipment awarded in the grand prize package, CSU students will convert up to 74% of human energy produced into clean, renewable energy with every workout.”