The Valley City State University athletic department has announced a new partnership with Sodexo that will provide a registered dietitian to enhance nutritional services for VCSU's athletic teams and student-athletes.
 
Rochelle Sward is a registered dietician with Sodexo who specializes in sport and performance nutrition. Sward will provide specialized nutrition plans for teams and individuals to optimize sport performance in and out of season.
 
"My goal is for student athletes to understand and see the value in fueling their body for performance," said Sward. "Success begins when a balanced diet aligns with their activity level to optimize performance, maintain health and promote recovery."
 
Sward is based at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn. and provides education and support to 14 colleges and universities in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Sward has a passion for preventative nutrition and focuses on helping student-athletes develop a healthy relationship with food.
 
"We are thrilled to gain Rochelle's expertise to enhance our student-athletes' performance and recovery through their nutritional choices," said athletic director Dennis McCulloch. "This partnership will provide Viking student-athletes with the knowledge and nutrition they need to perform at an elite level."
 
Nutrition services will be available to student-athletes beginning in the fall of 2025.