Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State's Nutrition Center Continues To Grow
4/3/2018 12:00:00 AM | General
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State's Nutrition Center, located adjacent to the Strength and Conditioning Center, is in the process of receiving an additional buildout, supporting 350 Beach student-athletes.
First created following new NCAA legislation in 2014 allowing schools to provide healthy food options for student-athletes, Long Beach State's Nutrition Center is staffed by fellow student-athletes, with additional guidance regarding health coming from Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance Jamie Hiegel and staff nutritionist Tiffany Larson.
Initially designed as a mobile station, the improvements will create a permanent home for the Nutrition Center just adjacent to the Long Beach State Strength and Conditioning Center, allowing for easy access for all of Long Beach State's student-athletes.
"Nutrition plays a huge role in energy levels and our student-athletes' ability to recover from workouts and tough competitive schedules," said Hiegel. "Supplying a nutrition station for our student-athletes affords them the opportunity to navigate a hectic schedule and lifestyle while remaining conscious of fueling & refueling their bodies so they are able to remain on top of their game."
Funding for the Nutrition Center improvements came in large part from a gift from Joyce Ricci and Mike Donnelly.
"Supporting the Nutrition Center was an easy choice for us," said Ricci. "It was identified as an area of need that would impact every student-athlete at Long Beach State, and it combines two things that are important to us: fitness and good nutrition.
"We also love the location of the Nutrition Center being adjacent to the Strength and Conditioning Center, which makes it easy for student-athletes to pick up a nutritional snack following a workout."
The project is scheduled to be fully completed before the start the 2018-19 season. Friends and alumni who would like to support the Athletics' Nutrition Program may do so by making a donation at www.longbeachstate.com/donate.
