Kansas Athletics Hires Full-Time Nutritionist

July 11, 2005

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Randy Bird has joined the Kansas Athletics staff as Sports Nutritionist, KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins announced Monday.

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As the Sports Nutritionist for KU, Bird will handle team and individual athlete nutrition education, and will provide assistance in planning menus for the training table and for pre- and post-competition meals.

Bird has worked as a clinical dietitian for three years in Giles, Va., and Washington, Pa. He also worked as a sports nutritionist in private practice for one year in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area.

Prior to his work as a clinical dietitian, Bird completed a sports nutrition internship and strength and conditioning internship with the Virginia Tech Athletics Department, as well as a dietetics internship with the University of Delaware.

“We care very much about the total well-being of our student-athletes,” Perkins said. “Randy becomes one of the very few full-time athletics-department nutritionists in the country. He will improve the health care we provide our student-athletes in addition to helping improve their performances. We are delighted to welcome him here.”

Bird obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Food, Nutrition, and Exercise Science from Virginia Tech in May 1999. He completed his Master’s Degree in Sports Nutrition at Virginia Tech in March 2005.

He is a member of the American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists, the American Dietetic Association, and the American College of Sports Medicine. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.