Over the next few weeks, everyone’s eyes will be glued to the college athletes participating in the NCAA Tournament! These student athletes go through intense training to fuel their performance and nourish themselves with high-energy foods to maintain their stamina.
At Parkhurst Dining, we often think about performance dining, or dining that supports everyone from intramural to professional athletes and corporate guests. From dine-in to to-go, we prioritize customized meal plan solutions to promote wellness.
“The Training Table”
At Lafayette College, we collaborated with the athletic department to offer a special “Training Table” during all meal periods for the football team and other athletes. The Training Table provides Lafayette athletes with a private dining experience where they are served a specially designed menu, rich in lean proteins and healthy carbohydrates.
Filling proteins like Zaatar Spiced Flank Steak and Barbecue Roasted Turkey Breast are served with Brown Rice Pilaf or Sweet Potato Hash. The 120 football players and coaches each consume an average of one pound of protein per meal, five days a week!
“I am well aware this additional lift for the Parkhurst team is just that: an additional lift,” said Michael Chamberlain, Senior Associate AD for Compliance & Student-Athlete Development at Lafayette College. “But this lift has enabled the football team to get bigger, faster, and stronger. It allowed teams that have never had meals over winter break to have them, and it has provided both men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse with the same training table benefits at times when practice hours are incredibly difficult for students and staff.”
Accessibility for Athletes Across Locations
If you’re a competitive athlete, one thing’s for sure: You’ll be on the road A LOT.
At Parkhurst, we understand this can be a challenge when trying to stay fueled for high-performance events. Through collaboration at participating Parkhurst locations, we work to help athletes stay nourished on the road.
For example, if student athletes travel from one participating Parkhurst campus to another for athletics, they may use their own meal plans and take advantage of expanded cafeteria hours to accommodate student athletes’ unique schedules.
Feeding the Pittsburgh Penguins
Did you know Parkhurst feeds a professional hockey team?
The Pittsburgh Penguins chose Parkhurst to be the official dining provider for their practice facilities because of our brand promise to deliver from-scratch foods — clean of preservatives — and our passion to customize menus for our guests.
Just as one Parkhurst guest isn’t like another, neither is an athlete. Each one has different nutritional requirements, and our Executive Chefs work directly with team nutritionists and players to design menus that help them achieve their fitness goals.
Every Guest — and Athlete — is Different
Personal wellness is always a priority for Parkhurst Dining. We understand every guest is different and what fuels them is unique. Whether you’re a college athlete, a professional hockey player, or a guest with specific culinary needs to achieve your best performance, we can customize your meal just for you with thoughtful menu options.
