The Experts Fueling the Bruins: Ross Shumway and Stephanie Urrutia
For any elite athletic program, nutrition is a cornerstone of success, and at UCLA, the football team's fueling strategy is meticulously managed by a dedicated team of experts. Ross Shumway serves as the Football Performance Nutrition Coordinator, focusing on the specific daily needs of the football team. He is part of the larger UCLA Athletics performance nutrition department, which is overseen by Stephanie Urrutia, the Assistant Athletic Director of Performance Nutrition. This structure ensures both specialized attention for football and alignment with the overall nutritional philosophy for all Bruin athletes.
Ross Shumway joined UCLA Football in April 2022. He is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), a credential that requires significant education and training. His experience includes a dietetic internship that involved working with the University of Nebraska Athletics Department, providing valuable exposure to high-level collegiate sports nutrition.
Stephanie Urrutia, a registered dietitian and trained chef, sets the vision for performance nutrition across UCLA Athletics. Her focus is on building strong relationships with athletes and promoting sustainable, healthy eating habits. Her leadership provides the framework within which specialized coordinators like Shumway operate, ensuring a consistent and high standard of care.
The Science Behind UCLA's Performance Nutrition
UCLA's nutrition program is highly individualized, employing sports science to develop precise fueling plans for each athlete. This is particularly important in football due to the wide range of positions and physical demands.
The Football Performance Nutrition Coordinator's Key Responsibilities
- Energy Management: Monitoring players' caloric needs based on training, position, and body composition.
- Body Composition: Using tools like the Bod Pod to assess body fat and muscle mass for targeted meal planning.
- Hydration Planning: Developing personalized strategies to prevent dehydration based on individual needs and conditions.
- Supplement Guidance: Educating athletes on supplement safety and effectiveness.
- Recovery Nutrition: Providing specific dietary support for injury and illness recovery.
- Travel Logistics: Managing nutritional needs for the team while traveling.
The Blueprint for Bruin Success
UCLA's approach involves several key strategies:
- Athlete Education: Conducting sessions to teach players about sports nutrition principles.
- Fueling Support: Ensuring access to appropriate nutrition before and after training.
- Convenient Access: Providing healthy food options at athletic facilities.
- Customized Diets: Creating meal plans tailored to individual athlete goals.
- Continuous Improvement: Utilizing data and feedback to refine nutrition plans.
Strategic Fueling vs. General Diet
This table outlines the key differences between the specialized nutritional approach of the UCLA football program and a typical, non-athlete's diet:
| Feature | Strategic Performance Nutrition (UCLA) | General Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Maximizing athletic performance, recovery, and preventing injury | Promoting general health and wellness |
| Macronutrient Ratio | Position-specific and periodized (e.g., higher carbs for game day) | Based on general health guidelines (e.g., 45-65% carbs, 10-35% protein) |
| Hydration | Tracked and tailored to individual sweat rates and conditions | Often relies on thirst cues, which can be insufficient for athletes |
| Supplementation | Carefully vetted, safe, and monitored for effectiveness | Varies widely; often uninformed or based on marketing claims |
| Timing | Meticulously planned around training, competition, and recovery | Loosely based on meal times and hunger; inconsistent |
| Monitoring | Uses body composition scans (Bod Pod) and other tech | Seldom involves clinical or technological assessment |
| Injury Recovery | Includes specific nutritional interventions to aid healing | Often not considered in injury recovery |
Conclusion: The Edge Beyond the Field
The nutritionist for UCLA football is Ross Shumway, who works under the direction of Stephanie Urrutia, Assistant Athletic Director of Performance Nutrition. This structure allows for a highly specialized and data-driven approach to fueling the team. The program's emphasis on individualized plans, scientific monitoring, and comprehensive athlete education is crucial for enhancing performance, accelerating recovery, and ensuring the overall well-being of the student-athletes.
For more information on the UCLA Athletics Performance Nutrition program, you can visit the official UCLA Bruins staff directory to see Stephanie Urrutia's profile and learn more about the department's leadership.
