University of North Carolina Athletics
Fueling Up
October 23, 2014 | General
NOTE: This article originally appeared in CAROLINA, the official digital magazine of Tar Heel athletics.
By Turner Walston
Carolina football fans know the third floor of the Loudermilk Center for Excellence as the Concourse Club of The Blue Zone, home to premium seating on football Saturdays. But on weekday mornings, the third floor of Loudermilk is home to the Fueling Station, a new nutritional offering for Carolina student-athletes.
In April, the NCAA approved a rule change to allow Division I athletes to receive unlimited meals and snacks from their institutions, within certain criteria. In response, Carolina created the Fueling Station in a location convenient to student-athletes. It's two floors above the weight room and housed in the same building as lounges, offices and study areas that student-athletes frequent. The Fueling Station is open from 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and has seen a steady stream of student-athletes since opening in mid-September.
Tar Heel student-athletes are allowed to visit the Fueling Station once a day and to select two items. The menu is divided into carbohydrate and protein-rich foods, and student-athletes are encouraged to pair a carb with a protein to maximize their energy intake. Carbohydrate-rich foods offered include fruit, vegetables, hummus, apple sauce and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, while on the protein side, trail mix, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, cashews and Muscle Milk are among the selections.
“It used to just be fruits, nuts, bagels, bars and shakes,” said head nutritionist Mary Ellen Bingham. “Now, we can do a lot more. We're pretty extensive with our menu. We try to do as many healthy items as possible, things that are within reason that are portable, that they can take with them.”
The Fueling Station is always staffed with someone from Rocky Top Hospitality and a sports nutrition employee, be it a dietician or an intern. “Someone is here to answer their questions, always,” Bingham said.
One morning last week, senior pitcher Trevor Kelley stopped in for a Muscle Milk and a fruit cup to supplement the breakfast of a ham, egg and cheese bagel that he picked up on the way to school. “I've been trying to gain weight for three years,” Kelley said. “Hopefully this will get it started.”
Moments later, senior guard Latifah Coleman picked up a pair of fruit cups. “I know a lot of athletes and a lot of my teammates have been using it, and they say it's good for them,” she said. “It's very convenient, because I spend a lot of time in Loudermilk, and it's right here.”
Bingham said the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were perhaps the Fueling Station's hottest item. “A lot of teams, if they have a minute to pop by before practice, they'll do a PB and J before, and then maybe a Muscle Milk shake for after,” she said. “The feedback from the student-athletes that are using it has been that they love it. People are getting what they need.”
Moments after Bingham said that, freshman volleyball middle blocker Keimaya Hunter grabbed a sandwich after a workout. “I use it almost every day,” she said of the Fueling Station. “I don't know how I'd be getting my nutrition (without it), to be honest with you.”
With 200 to 300 visitors per day, the Fueling Station has found its place in the routine of Tar Heel student-athletes, and they're seeing the benefits. “It's very convenient, and now I'm not as tired,” Hunter said. “I'm more hydrated and less fatigued.”
So this year, when Tar Heel student-athletes are scoring points, winning races or making saves, credit the Fueling Station with an assist.
