Marshall University Athletics
Herd Fuel Brings Nutritious Menu to John Marshall Dining Room
8/17/2023 8:58:00 AM | General, Student-Athlete Health and Wellness
Marshall Athletics offers healthy on-campus option for students, athletes, faculty & staff
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Athletics and Marshall University are teaming together to bring a healthy, on-campus dining option to Marshall's Memorial Student Center for the 2023-24 academic year.
Herd Fuel at the John Marshall Dining Room will serve as an on-campus dining opportunity to fuel healthy bodies and minds for student-athletes and all within the Marshall community.
Located upstairs in the Memorial Student Center, 'Herd Fuel at the John Marshall Room Restaurant' brings elite level nutrition by configuring a meal plan that serves as a healthy benefit for all who dine at the location.
"Providing a training table to all 19 sport programs and feeding our student-athletes breakfast and lunch four days a week was a priority for us," Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears said. "This goes above and beyond because it allows us to accomplish that goal while also enhancing the opportunities for all on campus. We are extremely grateful to the university, our amazing staff who facilitated the entire process and our on-campus partnership with Sodexo."
The new dining venture opens on Aug. 21 and will be open from Monday to Thursday each week.
One of the biggest benefits of the new venture is the ability for patrons to utilize the restaurant longer each day. The new hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. while offering breakfast (7:30-10:30 a.m.) and lunch (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Previously, the restaurant served lunch only from Noon to 2:30 p.m.
Just as nutrition is an important factor in the physical health of Marshall student-athletes so they can perform their best, a well-balanced and nutritious diet is critical for Marshall students, faculty and staff to also achieve peak performance, which is why the latest collaboration between the university and athletic department is so vital for the overall health of the Marshall community.
"I am so excited for our student-athletes and Marshall community to experience the fuel from our training table," said Maura Hohl, Marshall Athletics' Director of Performance Nutrition. "We are providing a wide variety of high-quality proteins, energizing carbohydrates and health-promoting fruits and vegetables. Our training table provides student-athletes with the optimal nutrition to recover faster from hard training and helps them perform their best on the field and in the classroom. As a sports dietitian, I love utilizing the opportunity to provide nutrition education - especially teaching how to build performance plates, choosing recovery-enhancing goods and the importance of nutrition in reaching athletic goals. Elite nutrition supports elite athletes, and that's exactly what our training table is doing here at Marshall."
Herd Fuel at the John Marshall Dining Room will deliver larger-plated portions that emphasize a healthy balance of proteins, carbs and fruits and vegetables through convenient grab-and-go options or the active station that provides freshly-made omelettes, stir fry and other nutritious ventures.
The restaurant will feature a convenient to-go option for everyone while also continuing the popular soup-and-salad combo that was previously available at the John Marshall Room.
Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and a fellow of the American College of Nutrition, is a six-time New York Times best-selling author for his books on the correlation between a diet, gut health and neurological well-being.
Perlmutter outlined the benefits of the new restaurant and what it could mean for the Marshall University community.
"Making good food choices is an essential step towards optimal brain performance," Perlmutter said. "Nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts and fish - which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins – can boost cognitive function and enhance memory."
A nutritious diet increases the production of new neurons through neurogenesis, which plays a vital role in cognitive function and the repair of damaged brain cells.
An individual's diet directly impacts the brain's synaptic plasticity, which is the number of connections between neurons. As a person's neural connections increase, so does their ability to learn, critically think and memorize.
Conversely, a poor diet that lacks proper nutrients impairs a person's cognitive function and increases the risk of mental health issues as well.
"By consciously selecting these nourishing options, you're not only taking care of your body, but also fueling your mind to tackle challenges with clarity and creativity," Perlmutter said. "Embrace a healthy diet and watch how it transforms your focus and mental agility, unlocking your full potential and paving your path for success."
Pricing for Herd Fuel at John Marshall Dining Room begins at $19 while the soup-and-salad option is offered for $10.99. The larger portions of better quality, high-protein foods are of better value and health benefit to nearby fast food restaurants, whose meals cost nearly the same price without delivering the same healthy benefits.
Students and faculty with meal plans can combine one meal swipe + dining dollars or cash for their meals at the restaurant. Student-athletes can also use one meal swipe + cash difference. The difference will be billed back to Athletics.
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