July 14, 2009
By Mary Kate DeCoursey, Penn State Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Penn State student-athletes spend countless hours each season preparing their minds and bodies for rigorous competition. Whether they are completing numerous reps of weight training exercises several times a week in the gym, studying film for countless hours or running through drills at practice, a major part of all student athletes' time in Happy Valley is focused on their sport. Another important aspect of this lifestyle is the food that these competitors put into their bodies. With the help of Dr. Kris Clark, nutritionist for Penn State athletics, all student-athletes are prepared in this area to the best of their ability.
Dr. Clark, a 1978 graduate of Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis., did not know her education would bring her to Happy Valley working with student-athletes, as there was no such occupation when she graduated. With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, she worked in public health with low income families with young children for five years following graduation.
"This was very rewarding, but depressing," remembers Clark. "I went back to school at night for my Masters in Health Education at the University of Wisconsin and had the goal of working in preventative health, especially cardiovascular disease."
After graduating from Wisconsin in 1983, Dr. Clark was accepted to Penn State to work on her Ph.D. in Nutrition Science. During her first few years in Happy Valley, the athletic department was looking to expand its nutrition program for its student-athletes and hoping to hire a full time sports nutritionist to work full time with all 29 varsity sports. As the saying goes, Dr. Clark was in the right place at the right time.
Originally, Clark's position required her to counsel student-athletes and provide assistance to the coaches. Over the years, however, her role has expanded to include meeting with recruits, interacting with team physicians, providing educational classes for freshman athletes, working with dining services to improve nutrition for all students on campus and present nutrition seminars on campus to a wide variety of groups and organizations. She also writes articles and gives interviews. As the only nutritionist for Penn State student-athletes, Dr. Clark keeps a busy schedule, doing her best to attend as many games and competitions each year.
Meggan Quinn, a rising senior for the Lady Lions, has worked with Dr. Clark since she arrived at Penn State in 2006.
"She has helped us make our diet appropriate to compete at the collegiate level," said Quinn. "She is a very knowledgeable woman and takes a personal interest in each athlete, wanting to help us all enhance our performances to the best of our abilities."
Quinn says each Lady Lion meets with Dr. Clark in her office in Rec Hall on a regular basis, chatting about how to make changes in the basketball players' routines. A greater emphasis has been placed on watching what the athletes eat and how they maintain their bodies to be elite athletes.
"Having had two knee injuries in my three years at Penn State, Kris has helped me pick and choose foods that have allowed me to maintain strength for rehabilitation purposes," added Quinn. "She is one of a kind and I cannot thank her enough for her love and determination in wanting to make her athletes better all around."
As one may imagine, in regards to nutrition, working with a female basketball player is very different from working with a male gymnast.
"I say many different things to every athlete," said Clark. "I personalize each session, so what one athlete wants to know about weight loss may be very different than what another wants to know on the same subject."
Dr. Clark's favorite part of her career is witnessing an improvement on their personal goal, whether it was their performance, strength, muscle growth or weight loss.
"I know they have followed through with the advice I gave them, and this is very rewarding for both myself and the athlete."