West Haven, Conn. – The University of New Haven department of athletics is pleased to launch the Charger Fuel Program, an interdisciplinary approach to student-athlete nutritional well-being and education. The program is made possible through a generous donation from the Loane Family. University of New Haven alumni, David R. Loane '91 and Penny A. Loane (Finch) '91 brought the concept forward as way to maximize the potential of the Peterson Performance Center and to ensure that Charger student-athletes are provided the proper resources to perform at their best and to maintain healthy lifestyles both during and after their playing days are over.
"Our goal is to create a world-class nutrition program that will attract students from all over the country to choose New Haven to study and compete as a student-athlete," commented Dave Loane. "We are passionate about performance and the role that proper nutrition plays in maximizing potential."
Through the Charger Fuel Program a formal relationship will be established between Charger Athletics, the Nutrition Science program and the Exercise Science program at the university. It will provide opportunities for students in each program to gain real-world experience working with high performing student-athletes while simultaneously giving Charger student-athletes access to nutrition professionals and educational resources that will lead to better nutritional habits.
The Loane Family's donation will allow Charger Athletics to provide first-in-class nutritional offerings, including team meals, grab-and-go style meal options, and NCAA approved supplements. It will also fund a graduate assistant position to work exclusively with student-athletes on meal planning, team nutrition seminars, and one-on-one nutrition counseling sessions.
The Charger Fuel Program will additionally ensure that the full capabilities of the Peterson Performance Center are maximized. The state-of-the-art, 35,000 sq. ft. facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023, and will contain the Charger Fueling Station, as well as large scale meeting and hospitality rooms designed to host team meals, banquets, and other events. Also housed within the Peterson Performance Center will be technology serving to inform nutrition decisions and provide research data for nutrition science students such as hydration testing, nutrient deficiency testing, and body composition testing.
"The Loane Family has long been key supporters of Charger student-athletes," said Jon Mays, Interim Director of Athletics. "This most recent commitment to establish the Charger Fuel Program and the Charger Fueling Station demonstrate that their priorities lie first and foremost with student-athlete health and well-being. This program will prove to be a turning point for our programs as we strive to provide the best possible experience and resources for all our student-athletes."
The Charger Fuel Program will begin immediately when student-athletes move back to campus for the spring semester. The Charger Fueling Station in the Peterson Performance Center is scheduled to open this spring as well. Stay up to date on all 20 of the Chargers varsity programs and facility updates at newhavenchargers.com.