Jan 29, 2015

A New Voice in Sports Nutrition

Intent on improving athletic performance through better nutrition while steering athletes clear of performance-enhancing substances, a new voice has arrived to speak on behalf of sports dietitians: The Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA).

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Two years in the making, CPSDA was formally launched in May 2010 with a goal of offering one voice, and delivering one essential message: Athletes perform better and are better protected with a full-time sports dietitian on staff. As authorities on nutrition, the goal of sports dietitians is to be an in-house resource for teaching coaches, athletic directors, and athletes the competitive advantages of healthy foods and helping players avoid the perils of substance abuse.

Dozens of major college and professional teams have rebuilt the infrastructure of their support service systems to incorporate sports dietitians alongside physicians, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists to protect athletes and the integrity of their athletic programs. Registered dietitians and other allied health care professionals are invited to become CPSDA members.

“Optimal athletic performance is everyone’s goal in sports,” said CPSDA President and Sports Dietitian, Dave Ellis. “And our professional members are in the trenches daily enabling athletes to perform at their best and doing it in an ethical manner.”

T&C recently asked Ellis, a long-time sports dietitian and contributor to the magazine, to reflect on the growth of the field of sports nutrition. Click here to check out his unique insights into the employment landscape for Sports Dietitians.

You can find more information on joining the CPSDA, here.

CPSDA Board of Directors pictured from left to right: Dave Ellis, President; Amy Freel, Conference Committee chair; Randy Bird, Treasurer; Becci Twombley, Secretary; Amy Bragg, Sponsorship Committee chair.

CPSDA Board of Directors:

• President: Dave Ellis, RD, CSCS, Colorado Springs, CO
• Secretary: Becci Twombley, RD, CSSD, UCLA
• Treasurer: Randy Bird, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS, Univ. of Virginia
• 2011 Conference: Amy Freel, MS, RD, CSSD, Virginia Tech
• Sponsor Comm: Amy F. Bragg, RD, CSSD, University of Alabama
• Administration: John LeGear and Linda Tinoco 708-974-3153
• Contact the CPSDA at: [email protected]