Sam Klein, Editor

Food is fuel, a fundamental principle ingrained in the minds of all collegiate athletes. One athlete in particular, however, took this ideology based on the relationship between nutrition and performance to the next level. 

Senior nutrition major and member of the La Salle Women’s Lacrosse team, Katie Johnson, opened what is called the “Fueling Station” on the first floor of Trumark across from the Hall of Athletes. The intention: provide additional fuel to student athletes in an environment surrounded by food insecurity and a lack of resources. 

Johnson collaborated with the Nutrition Department, as well as Sam Kilpatrick, a member of La Salle’s Strength & Conditioning Staff, to combat the financial, time and housing constraints that impact student athletes at La Salle from getting the proper nutrition needed to fuel performance. Meal plans are available to student athletes on the Explorer campus. However, practice schedules might limit feasibility of fuel, in addition to the financial component that drives dining hall access. 

Johnson’s goal is to “fill the gap that was once empty regarding an athlete’s caloric needs and nutrient demands,” taking a positive step toward minimizing financial and time related concerns. The station is stocked with a variety of protein bars, protein shakes, “heat & eat” meals and numerous high-carb options such as oatmeal, pretzels and applesauce.  

Although nutrition serves as the fundamental goal of the fueling station, Johnson describes the project as a “resource” for student athletes, one that extends far beyond the food itself and into the educational opportunity it provides student athletes. The fueling station is run primarily by dietetics students who are well-versed in the realm of nutrition and can provide student athletes assistance in nutrition-based questions and concerns and overall help implement beneficial nutritional habits into the everyday lives of La Salle’s athletes. 

Open from 6-9 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the fueling station is open to all student athletes in need of a quick meal or snack, despite the sport or fueling circumstance. Over the past six weeks that the fueling station has been open at La Salle, it has already seen the vast impact nutritional opportunities can have on student athletes. 

Junior attacker on the Women’s Lacrosse team, Emi Waldron, describes the fueling station as “extremely beneficial” for the opportunity it provides to fuel her body during the busiest times of the day, of which she would normally neglect making time for proper nutrition. 

“I can’t perform on an empty stomach, so the fueling station has allowed me to quickly get food during the busiest times of my day,” Waldron said, as she recounted using the fueling station in between class, practice and lift. 

However, it isn’t just residential students who benefit from the fueling station’s resources, but commuter athletes as well. Sandu Zama, sophomore commuter on the La Salle Men’s Soccer team, is a regular at the fueling station. 

“I feel like the fueling station is a step in the right direction for our athletic department,” Zama says. “As an athlete, I find it is an asset, and as a commuter who wakes up at 5 a.m. for practice every day, I use the fueling station as a substitute for breakfast some mornings.” 

A step in the right direction is the perfect way to describe the fueling station according to Johnson. “It represents progress and change for the betterment of La Salle Athletics and the quality of life for La Salle student athletes.” 

The potential impact of the fueling station is astronomical, and for athletes such as Johnson, Waldron and Zama, success is already being found. To follow along with the fueling station’s journey in aiding student athletes, follow @explorersnutrition on Instagram for updates and additional resources.