Located in the Bob Olson Strength and Conditioning Center inside the Barnett Center on the NSU campus, the Recovery Station provides athletes with convenient, protein-rich foods and beverages to help replenish energy, support muscle recovery and fuel performance following intense training and compet ition. “We work with and compete against a lot of talented athletes,” said Zach Neer, NSU Director of Strength and Conditioning. “It’s necessary for us to always be looking for a way for to be one step ahead of our competitors and win in the margins. One of the ways we do that is by focusing on what we put inside our bodies.” The Recovery Station features healthy grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages, allowing athletes to refuel immediately after workouts or competitions without leaving the training facility. Neer said the Recovery Station also provides an opportunity to educate athletes about the important role nutrition plays in their overall health and athletic performance. “The Recovery Station is a valuable tool for starting conversations about the importance of good nutrition,” Neer said. “Not only does it provide convenient food options, but we also utilize the Build Your Base sports nutrition program to teach athletes how to build healthy lifestyles, prepare nutritious meals and make smart choices at the grocery store.” In addition to nutritious food options, the station features educational signage highlighting the benefits of high-quality protein found in BEEF and the role proper nutrition plays in muscle recovery, athletic performance and long-term health. NSU football wide receiver Cade Kaiser of Pierre, S.D. said having convenient, nutritious food available is a valuable resource for student athletes. “At any point in the day, if I need a pick-me-up, I can buzz in and get what I need quickly, and I know it’s good for me,” Kaiser said. “It’s a real added bonus to all of the training we do to help us perform at our highest level.” A Recovery Station is more than a place to grab a snack—it’s a strategic nutrition resource, said Suzy Geppert, Executive Director of Beef Logic Inc. It gives student athletes convenient access to high-quality protein like BEEF while creating an opportunity to connect nutrition, performance and healthy lifestyle choices. Supporting Performance Through Nutrition Key components of the Recovery Station include: Convenience: Located within the training facility, allowing athletes to quickly refuel without leaving the workout area. Nutrition Education: Informational signage highlights the role of high-quality protein, like BEEF, in recovery and athletic performance. Performance Support: Reinforces the importance of proper post-workout nutrition in supporting muscle recovery, performance and healthy lifestyles. “The Recovery Station is becoming a popular spot for the team to gather around and talk,” said Graham Borden, a Linebacker from Geneva, Ill. “It reminds me a lot of home, where conversation always happens in the kitchen around eating, this is a lot like that.” Borden, who lives off campus, said the convenience and selection of different things to eat make this a game changer. One of his favorite items at the NSU Recovery Station is the roast beef sandwich, featuring roast beef provided by Top Chop Meats of Bath and Aberdeen, the Community Protein Partner in the project. Top Chop Meats owner Chad Bergan immediately recognized the value of the partnership. “The minute I was approached about this opportunity, I thought it was a perfect fit,” Bergan said. “Today’s athletes understand the connection between what they put into their bodies and how it impacts their performance and recovery. Programs like this demonstrate the value of high-quality protein found in BEEF and how it can help give athletes that edge.” A former Northern State men’s basketball standout and father of four student athletes, Bergan said the partnership benefits both NSU athletes and the South Dakota’s BEEF Industry. “Obviously, things have changed a lot since I played at NSU,” Bergan said. “Today’s athletes are focused on becoming bigger, faster and stronger. They need access to nutritious food, but they also need education that helps them make smart choices and build healthy lifestyles. This program checks all the right boxes.” The Recovery Station shows how partnerships can provide student athletes with practical nutritional education and resources while highlighting the important role high-quality protein found in BEEF plays in fueling active lifestyles, added Geppert. Also available at the Recovery Station are original Build Your Base meat sticks. Each 1.15-ounce stick contains 11 grams of protein and just 90 calories, making them a tasty, convenient, on-the-go beef snack. Build Your Base meat sticks are available for purchase by following this link or visiting www.beeflogicinc.org and clicking on “Shop.” All proceeds from meat stick sales go back into the Beef Logic mission. Beef Logic Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, works to strengthen families and communities and ensure the positive benefits of BEEF for the future. The non-profit leads several programs and initiatives including Build Your Base, a sports nutrition program that helps student athletes learn how BEEF is a high-quality protein that supports them as they prepare for competitions and build healthy habits that fuel performance on and off the field. Launched in 2018, Build Your Base began as a partnership between the SDBIC Beef Checkoff and Sanford Health. Since being acquired by Beef Logic Inc. in 2021, this initiative has broadened its partnership to incorporate other organizations and individuals with similar values. Build Your Base continues to thrive, extending its reach across the United States, where it is embraced by high schools, universities and professional teams and athletes. About BEEF LOGIC Inc. BEEF LOGIC Inc. works alongside beef farmers, ranchers, medical and sports professionals, nutritionists and community partners in creating a larger body of understanding and support for BEEF! Learn how you can get involved. 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