RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's student-athletes will benefit from a nutrition bar that will be part of the new athletics strength and conditioning center.
 
In October, EKU announced a partnership with Life Fitness to remodel and expand the department's strength and conditioning center.  That renovation is expected to begin this week. Click here to learn more about the overall renovation.
 
"Student-athlete nutrition has been one of my top concerns and priorities since coming to EKU in April 2015," Director of Athletics Stephen Lochmueller said.  "We have made strides in that area over the last 20 months, but this will take it to a new level.  I'm excited that we will now be able to provide the nutritional support our student-athletes need, on par with any department in the country." 
 
In addition to featuring top of the line Hammer Strength brand equipment from Life Fitness and a 10-yard wide by 30-yard long artificial turf field, the new facility inside the Moberly Building will also feature a nutrition bar.  It will include ice machines, refrigerators and blenders.
 
"We give the shakes out now," EKU Director of Strength and Conditioning Jon-Michael Davis said.  "But with this addition we will be able to address the needs of each student-athlete more specifically.  Whether it is a high calorie need or a low calorie need, we can make it more detailed for the individual student-athlete.  We will also be able to save money because we will now be able to buy the powder products, which are more cost efficient.  It's going to be a premier facility in the country."
 
The project would not be possible without the generosity of Ron and Sherrie Lou Noel.  The Noels, of Union, Kentucky, whose previous donations made possible the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity and the Noel Reading Porch, have generously pledged an additional $1 million to Eastern Kentucky University.