FORT COLLINS — Like most swimmers, Elizabeth Prasse’s day starts before the sun.
Colorado State’s women’s swim team is in the water before 6 a.m., when most of the campus hasn’t considered waking up. The session ends at 7:25 a.m., then it’s a rush to get to class. In the winter, that means she sits down and takes notes with her hair partially frozen, and up until a few weeks ago, that also meant throwing down a granola bar to get her through her class schedule that extends until after noon.
Not any more. With the opening of the nutrition center at CSU, Prasse and her teammates have a place to refuel after a workout — and swimmers require a caloric intake that would surprise most — before heading to class.
Her hair may still be wet and frozen, but her stomach isn’t rumbling in class.
“We come in, we have morning practice and then I have class at 8 a.m.,” said Prasse, who added most of her team hits the center in the morning. “There’s not time to go and make a meal, so it’s easier to run in here after practice, grab a bagel and put some peanut butter and banana on there — that’s my go-to. Then I can just head off to class.
“I also take fruit, and eat that for a snack between classes, because I’m always on the go and getting ready for the next practice.”
Entering it’s third week of operation, the nutrition center has been a hit with the athletes at Colorado State. Open twice a day, many of the Rams are there twice, refueling after a workout or practice and gearing up for the next in the afternoon.
CSU associate athletic director for sports performance Terry DeZeeuw said it not designed to be a food-preparation center (following NCAA guidelines to offer snacks, not meals), so the food is grab-and-go by nature, but gives the athletes options to load up on the carbohydrates and protein they need.
“It’s a great place, a great environment,” football player Trent Matthews said. “If you’re busy, kind of like myself or other athletes that have to go here, here and here, it’s a place where you can grab and go. It’s fuel efficient. It’s something that you no longer have to worry about.”
Both Prasse and Matthews are fans of the Smucker’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, as well as the bagels and the wide assortment of fruit. Prasse also likes the carrots, and said the sandwiches she’s had (turkey and chicken salad) have been good.
Most of all, she loves the presentation.
“Probably my favorite part is they put everything in a brown bag, and they have the Smucker’s uncrusted sandwiches, and you feel like a little kid again,” she said.
Another draw is the cafeteria feel for the athletes. There are tables and chairs set up to allow them to relax and eat if they have the time, even watch TV. WiFi will be made available in the future.
Matthews has enjoyed that aspect, saying he’s sat down with members of the track team to catch up on their season, as well as joining teammates to talk about whatever or just catch highlights on SportsCenter.
DeZeeuw feels that was an important aspect of the design of the nutrition center.
“It is one of the underestimated benefits of this room. They can come in an catch their breath, sit down and relax,” DeZeeuw said. “If you look at dining habits across the board in people, you’re shoving stuff in as you’re running from one place to the other. Just sit down, enjoy it and relax. There are benefits to that from a mental well-being and wellness standpoint.”
The center is in its infant stages, so improvements will come and the menu may change based on the request of athletes. For one, Prasse said the drink options could be improved, which DeZeeuw said is on the way in terms of water, Powerade and milk. Prasse said swimmers would love chocolate milk as an option, a popular part of recovery after practice in their sport.
But for a group of athletes who a month ago were often running to and fro and trying to find ways to keep up with the caloric intake they require, they are very much appreciative of the efforts the university has made in that regard.
They also feel it will help keep them at peak performance at practice and games.
“It’s pretty good right now, but it can always get better, just like me as an athlete,” Matthews said. “Right now, it’s an improvement and I utilize it well. I always go there, so I’m not disappointed at all.”
Mike Brohard: 970-635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and twitter.com/mbrohard
