In 2011, the first fulltime Director of WSU Performance Nutrition/RD was hired. This position oversees all nutrition consulting, education/programming, body composition analysis, and foodservice staffing and operation of the Crimson Hub for WSU Athletics. In 2012, Cougar Athletics Training Table program was created and Athletics hired its’ first full-time Executive Chef to operate and produce meals for WSU student-athletes. In 2013, a graduate assistance position was approved for the Performance Nutrition program to assist with operational (i.e. fueling station orders) and budgetary responsibilities. In the summer of 2014, WSU Athletics completed the Cougar Football Complex. This facility houses the Gray W Legends Lounge, the kitchen and dining space for all WSU student-athletes. With the completion of this facility, the WSU Performance Nutrition program expanded personnel to a General Manager, a Sous Chef, and support foodservice staff and servers. This facility operates the Cougar Athletics Training Table (dinner provided to scheduled teams), Cougar Express (mid-day fueling opportunity free of charge for all student-athletes), pre-competition meals, and special events. In the fall of 2014, the Crimson Hub opened. This facility is located in Bohler Weight Room and the purpose is to fuel athletes pre-, during, and post-workouts, as well as provide nutritious snacks throughout the day. In the summer of 2015, the Performance Nutrition program hired its 2nd full-time Registered Dietitian. This position manages the nutritional oversight for certain sports, which includes individual consults, team presentations, cooking demonstration, USG, and performance and health enhancing services, as well as play a vital role in supporting the WSU Performance Nutrition operations and services. Both RDs work closely with strength and conditioning and sports medicine staffs to ensure the health and wellbeing of WSU student-athletes.
