CORAL GABLES, Fla. –  The wave of athletics facilities upgrades and additions continued at the University of Miami Tuesday with the opening of the Hurricanes’ nutrition center inside the Hecht Athletic Center on campus.  

The center, which features a “grab-and-go” set-up for student-athletes to refuel before and after practice or on their way to class and which offers a bevy of food and drink options, including smoothies, sports drinks, yogurt, salads, sandwiches and fruit, is located on the second floor of the Hecht Center in the former student-athlete lounge space.

“We are committed to helping our student-athletes become the very best that they can be, and the opening of the nutrition center is another resource to help them in their pursuit of excellence,” Athletics Director Blake James said.

Sports dietician Alyson Marquez will direct the education aspect of the nutrition center which will be open to student-athletes from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm each weekday.

“Sports nutrition is a big part of the student-athlete’s toolkit,” Marquez said. “Proper nutrition can elevate an athlete from great to excellent.  Whether they are coming in pre-training or post-training, they can really maximize their performance and enhance it with good sports nutrition.”

Shannon McCarthy, a captain on the women’s soccer team, stopped by to check out the newest addition inside the Hecht Athletic Center.

“I think the nutrition center is extremely beneficial,” McCarthy said. “The life of a student-athlete is on-the-go every day, so for us to have healthy options readily available when we need them is great.”