Philly Leader

For Norman Vossschulte, Vice President of Fan Experience and Sustainability at the Eagles, Earth Day is not just an annual event but a daily commitment. "While I like an activation such as Earth Day to remind people that we should pay attention to our planet, I believe every day is Earth Day," he stated. Vossschulte leads the sustainability department, which includes various committees and engages both staff and fans through the Go Green initiative.

His efforts in sustainability have earned him a position on the Board of Directors of the Green Sports Alliance. "Norman's appointment to the Board of Directors of the Green Sports Alliance is a tribute to his stewardship as an ambassador for our Go Green program," said Don Smolenski, Philadelphia Eagles President. Under Vossschulte's guidance, the Eagles achieved LEED Gold and ISO certifications and became the first pro sports team in the U.S. to offset travel emissions through environmental restoration projects.

The Green Sports Alliance connects sports organizations with sustainability partners globally, promoting sustainable practices since 2010. The Eagles have been associated with this organization for years and hosted its summit in 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field. Vossschulte was approached about joining their board last year and was elected when a vacancy arose in early 2024.

"Sustainability has been part of the Eagles' DNA for quite some time," said Vossschulte. His new role on the board will help advance sustainability initiatives within the sports community while also allowing access to innovations that benefit both the team and its community.

Since opening Lincoln Financial Field in 2003, the Eagles have focused on environmental sustainability through their Go Green initiative. This initiative has led to multiple recognitions thanks to collaborative efforts between Vossschulte's department and facility operations teams led by Jason Miller and Ryan Hummel. The stadium boasts LEED Gold certification for its eco-friendly efforts and is recognized by Global Biorisk Advisory Council for its cleaning protocols.

Recently, LED lighting was installed at Lincoln Financial Field as part of ongoing upgrades aimed at energy efficiency. This change reduced energy consumption significantly from 1.5 megawatts to approximately 0.7 megawatts during the 2023 season.

"The LED lighting package allows us to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in the stadium," Vossschulte noted about this upgrade that also enhances fan experience while saving energy.

Looking ahead, plans include transitioning vehicles to clean hydrogen fuel following installation of a hydrogen fueling station at Lincoln Financial Field through a partnership with PDC Machines—making it a pioneering venue worldwide in this regard.

Additionally, Vossschulte's team is collaborating with partners on developing biodegradable shopping bags partially made from sugarcane ethanol for game days—a testament to their ongoing exploration into sustainable solutions.

Vossschulte aims high with these initiatives under his leadership roles at both Eagles' Go Green program and Green Sports Alliance board membership—continuing setting standards for sustainability within sports industry globally.