CPSDA is renamed to the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association (ASPDA). The choice of “American” reflects our aspiration to elevate ourselves as the national leader in our field. “Sports and Performance” acknowledges the diverse range of practicing members, many of whom identify as Sports RDs or Performance Dietitians. Lastly, “Dietitian” reinforces our commitment to our profession as the vast majority of our members are registered dietitians and this is the clearest way to distinguish us from the plethora of nutrition gurus.

CPSDA member Leah Thomas, Associate Athletic Director for Performance Nutrition at Georgia Tech, was appointed as a voting member of the NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports through August 2025.

Interassociation Consensus Statement on Sports Nutrition Models for the Provision of Nutrition Services From Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Collegiate Athletics is published in the Journal of Athletic Training and authored by ASPDA members.

This document, guided by a multidisciplinary panel, introduces four sports nutrition models through which any collegiate athletic program can deliver sports RDN-directed nutrition services. In each model, the most effective staffing and scope of service are indicated and reviewed. In addition, recommended organizational structures for sports RDN are provided that best support the delivery of the model’s nutrition services in a variety of collegiate athletic programs and organizational settings. Lastly, future research initiatives and nutrition interventions to help improve the standard of care through these sport nutrition models are explored. Click here to view the paper.

NCAA lifts remaining restrictions on feeding to eliminate constraints around defining a meal vs. a snack and when a meal can be provided in conjunction with athletic participation. The new legislation reads: An institution may provide meals and snacks to a student-athlete at any time. An institution shall not provide cash for a meal unless authorized by NCAA legislation. This change further empowers RDs to provide meals and snacks that are appropriate for their athlete's needs.

NCAA approves the addition of chelated minerals to the list of permissible substances an institution may provide. NCAA also added an addendum that allows lactase to be used as a food additive and for medical treatment. Randy Bird, former CSMAS Member and Auburn Weisensale, current CSMAS member worked closely with the CSMAS committee to provide appropriate scientific rationale for this change.

CPSDA member Auburn Weisensale, Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh, was appointed as a voting member of the NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports through August 2022.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids was voted on and approved to be added to the permissible nutrition supplement category. The NCAA  amended legislation now allows institutions to provide Omega-3 fatty acids. The legislation now states: "An institution may provide permissible nutritional supplements to a student-athlete for the purpose of providing calories and electrolytes. Permissible nutritional supplements do not contain any NCAA banned substances and are identified according to the following classes: carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters, protein supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals."

Click here to view the 2018-2019 Research Award Study Infographic ‘Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes’ by CPSDA members Peter Ritz and Michelle Rockwell.

The NCAA Division I Council has approved the recommendation of the NCAA CSMAS to remove restrictions on protein from the rules that govern feeding student-athletes. The rule change does away with the long-standing “30% rule,” which limited the amount of protein in nutritional supplements to no more than 30% of the total calories. Amy Freel, former CPSDA board member and current CPSDA Executive Directory, worked with ASPDA and SCAN leadership to bring this rule change under consideration.

CPSDA member Randy Bird, Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Virginia, was appointed as a voting member of the NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards (CSMAS) and Medical Aspects of Sports through August 2019.

Sports Nutrition Summit – A meeting was held to discuss the NCAA’s 30% Protein Rule Bylaw16.5. 2 (g), which currently states that “nutritional supplements containing more than 30 percent of calories from protein are classified as muscle-building supplements and may not be provided to student-athletes.  Additionally, the concept of 3rd party testing supplements was discussed. In attendance at this meeting were CPSDA members Randy Bird, Amy Freel and Jen Ketterly, John Travis from NSF, Mark Kovasc from GSSI, and representatives from both Drug Free Sport and NCAA Sport Science Institute.

NCAA lifts restrictions on feeding - effective August 1, 2014. Click here to learn more about the deregulation of feeding. Click here.

CPSDA issues first position stand, “Recommended Feeding Protocols For All Athletes” (make this link to PDF “CPSDA Position Statement”) on properly fueling athletes and continues campaign to lift feeding restrictions in the NCAA. 

CPSDA board member Amy Freel, Director of Sport Performance Nutrition at Indiana University, becomes first sports dietitian to serve on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport.