History of Sports Nutrition at Virginia Tech

Eating healthy and choosing nutritious diets are important aspects of a Virginia Tech student-athlete's life, and that's why the athletics department implemented the sports nutrition program in July of 2002. The athletics department named Amy Freel as its first director of sports nutrition, and she was one of just 16 full-time college dieticians in the country.

The nutrition program offers individual and team education to student-athletes concerned with lean muscle gain, fat loss, dining hall eating, eating for energy and other performance issues.

It offers student-athletes the opportunity to use the Bod Pod, which measures body composition (body fat and lean body mass percentages). Research shows that lean muscle mass increases athletic performance, so the machine helps student-athletes reach their potential.

Student-athletes also have other resources available to them, including the Nutrition Oasis, which provides recovery drinks, fruit and bagels, and Quick and Easy Recipe Books, which are designed to help student-athletes shop for healthy foods.

The nutrition staff provides educational materials as well and is available for one-on-one consultations with student-athletes regarding their nutrition needs and goals.

To schedule an appointment, please go to 113 Merryman Center, or send and email to Jennie Schafer jlschaf@vt.edu.