Athletics Nutrition
Nutrition is vital for both athletic performance and injury prevention and care. It is also essential for athletes because it provides the energy to perform as well as supports muscle growth and repair. Proper fueling through a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is crucial for recovery, injury prevention, and overall health, while inadequate nutrition can lead to underfueling, illness, and decreased performance.
The WSU Athletics Fueling Station, overseen by the Sports Medicine Department, was established with two goals in mind:
- To provide supplemental calories that fall within an evidence-based macro-nutrient ratio that supports muscle growth, recovery, and repair
- To educate student-athletes on the importance of nutrition and how student-athletes can use nutrition to improve their health and simultaneously boost performance.
Follow the WSU Athletics Fueling Station on
Instagram!
@waynestatefuelingstation
The WSU Athletics Fueling Station is split into several locations: the Athletic Performance Center, the Matthaei Physical Education Building, and the WSU Athletics Fieldhouse.
| Location |
Items Available |
Nutrition Info |
Frequency |
| Athletic Performance Center |
peanut butter & jelly sandwich
chocolate milk |
On average, a PB & J sandwich contains 390 calories
(15g protein and 45g carbs)
The provided chocolate milk contains 140 calories
(9g protein and 22g carbs) |
WSU student-athletes are able to receive 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich and 1 chocolate milk following their team lift |
Matthaei Physical Education Building
3 Byte Coolers* are located in the SW corner, near the hallway to the weight room and by the volleyball concession stand area |
Power Packs |
Each Power Pack contains a minimum of 20g protein and 30g carbohydrate, though specific macro-nutrient breakdown varies |
WSU student-athletes may use their One Card once per day, Monday through Friday, at any of the Athletics Byte Coolers to receive a single Power Pack. |
WSU Athletics Fieldhouse
1 Byte Cooler* is located on the Event Level, near the Athletic Training Room |
Power Packs |
Each Power Pack contains a minimum of 20g protein and 30g carbohydrate, though specific macro-nutrient breakdown varies |
WSU student-athletes may use their One Card once per day, Monday through Friday, at any of the Athletics Byte Coolers to receive a single Power Pack. |
Power Packs
- Wake Up Power Pack: vanilla Greek yogurt, hard boiled egg, strawberries, mini bagel
- Breakfast Power Pack: cottage cheese, pineapple, blueberry morning bread
- Morning Power Pack: vanilla Greek yogurt, strawberries, hard boiled egg, crunchy granola, raisins
- Trail Hugger Power Pack: turkey, cheddar cheese cubes, trail mix, carrot sticks
- Afternoon Power Pack: tuna salad, hard boiled egg, grapes, apple slices, club crackers
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*Byte Coolers
The Athletics-operated Byte Coolers are accessible to Warrior student-athletes only, via their One Card.
To use: Student-athletes may swipe their One Card at any Athletics-operated Byte Cooler once per day, unlocking the kiosk. Student-athletes may touch any of the available products to pick an item that best meets their nutrition needs. Once the door closes, Byte Technology knows what was taken and automatically registers that product to the student-athletes' account.
Student-athletes are allowed one (1) Power Pack per day, Mon-Fri.
Athletics Nutrition - Student Assistants and Internships
In collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree program in Nutrition and Food Science, current WSU students may apply for a hands-on experience working directly with athletes and within the sports nutrition realm. The "Student Assistant" gains knowledge, skills, and valuable experience in the field of sports nutrition, and these opportunities equip Warriors with the in-demand skills that will set them up for prosperous and fulfilling careers in nutrition.
"The Wayne State's Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science provides a strong foundation in the science behind food, health, and human nutrition. This program integrates biology, chemistry, food science, and food service management to prepare students for careers in food safety, product development, quality control, sales, food service management, customer relations, and more. The BA NFS curriculum fulfills the requirements to apply for physician assistant programs and graduate programs in dietetics."
See more about WSU's Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science program HERE.
| 2025-26 Nutrition Student Assistants |
 |
|
|
Manar
Chebli-Haj-Hassan |
Tijana
Lis |
Dwayne
Sanders |
|
|
 |
Tasfia
Shahid |
Jada
Tillman |
Avery
Wilson |
If you are interested in applying to be an Athletics Nutrition Student Assistant, please contact: Assistant Athletic Trainer Lydia Lee
You can also review our application HERE.
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In collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Coordinated Program in Dietetics, WSU Athletics has been established as a clinical site for the NFS 5220 internship course - Community Nutrition. Through supervised practice, the "Dietetic Intern" gains knowledge, skills, and valuable experience in the field of sports nutrition and in a wide range of nutrition topics. Interns are provided the opportunity to sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through direct one-on-one interactions with student-athletes, in group presentations, and in providing services during practices and competitions.
"Wayne State's Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics (MS-CPD) prepares students to become practicing experts in nutrition, dietetics and food science as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). Our Coordinated Program has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) since its inception in 1980."
See more about WSU's Master of Science Coordinate Program in Dietetics HERE.
Nutrition and Athletics Performance Lab/Research (coming soon):
- DEXA scan
- Heart rate monitors/heart rate variability
- Hydration status monitoring/MX3
- Ferritin and Vitamin D testing
Faculty Liaisons and Internship Coordinators
 |
Dr. Diane Cress, PhD, RD
Associate Professor, Department Chair |
Cress Lab |
 |
Dr. Paul Burghardt, PhD
Associate Professor, Graduate Officer |
C.R.E.M.E. Lab |
 |
Tonia Reinhard, MS, RD, FAND
Professor-Teaching |
|
 |
Mary Width, MS, RD
Professor, Teaching
Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics |
clas.wayne.edu/dietitian/ |
| Winter 2025 |
|
|
 |
|
Nutrition Interns:
Alex Tonn, Friya Zayouna, Hanan Alawy |
|
Dietetic Interns (left to right):
Ryan Hennessy, Carrington Miller,
Kaylin Blake, Sherri Soble-Wiegert |
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|
| Fall 2024 |
 |
|
 |
|
Nutrition Interns (left to right):
Alex Tonn, Avery Wilson,
Daniela Escalera Sanchez, Habiba Islam, Brianna Tabit |
|
Dietetic Interns (left to right):
Mallori McDonald, Noor Ali, Celine Haddad,
Anna Gawel, Harman Kaur, Terez Quainton |
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| Winter 2024 |
|
|
 |
|
Nutrition Interns:
Colette Tibai, Daniela Escalera Sanchez, Emily Lloyd |
|
Dietetic Interns:
Prasad Weerasinghe, Isabelle Voldahl |
