Category: Sports

Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball is placing a growing emphasis on hydration, nutrition, and recovery, enabling players to perform at their peak potential

By Owyn Dawyot, Health and Wellness Reporter

Pictured is the Hahn Hurst Practice facility. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams train and practice here year-round. By Owyn Dawyot – May 10, 2026

For many college athletes, health and nutrition is often something that gets pushed to the side. Between late-night studying, inconsistent sleep schedules, and having a social life, maintaining healthy habits can feel nearly impossible. However, inside the world of Division I athletics, players and staff are increasingly treating health and recovery not as optional, but as a critical part of success.

For Virginia Tech Men’s basketball player Jaden Schutt, prioritizing health started long before college. Growing up in a household where nutrition and fitness were constantly emphasized, he quickly learned that what he put into his body directly affected how he performed on the court.

“I would say in the last few years, honestly, just making sure I’m hydrated, I have enough sleep, and just eating a lot cleaner,” Schutt said. “I wake up and drink salt water, take hydration mix, and make sure that’s the first thing I’m getting in.”

While many athletes focus primarily on training and skill development, Schutt believes recovery and nutrition are equally important. He explained that his daily routine revolves around whole foods, hydration, and limiting processed ingredients.

“A lot of things I cut out are artificial dyes, sugar in general, and junk food,” he said. “I’m trying to burn fuel as efficiently and as clean as possible.”

Schutt said he began taking nutrition seriously around fifth grade when he started playing competitive sports regularly, claiming that seeing the difference in his own performances made it difficult to ignore how much nutrition mattered.

“I really didn’t want to have a bad game, so I was trying to do everything I could to play to the best of my ability,” Schutt said.

That mindset only intensified as he got older and watched the habits of people around him. Schutt described how observing his older brothers gave him firsthand examples of both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles.

“One brother took things really seriously, and another didn’t,” he said. “I kind of watched their habits and who was getting more success.”

For Schutt, the connection between healthy habits and athletic performance became obvious over time. He said that while athletes can temporarily adapt to unhealthy eating, the long-term effects eventually appear physically and mentally.

“I’ll notice my skin start breaking out, and my joints are hurting a little more. If I really take it seriously and eat the way I want to, I recover faster, feel better, and my joints are less painful,” Schutt admitted.

“If you take care of your body, it takes care of your mind.” – Jayden Schutt

Schutt also believes the benefits extend far beyond basketball. “If you’re feeling good, you’re going to be a nicer person,” he stated. “If your back’s hurting or you’re irritated, you go through life a little cloudy.”

He compared good health to carrying “sunshine” internally, explaining that taking care of your body positively affects your mentality and relationships with others.

The emphasis on health and recovery is not just coming from players themselves. Behind the scenes, sports nutrition staff members are helping athletes understand exactly how nutrition, hydration, and recovery impact performance.

Savannah Gustafson, director of basketball sports nutrition at Virginia Tech, works directly with athletes to optimize their diets and recovery routines throughout the season. According to Gustafson, hydration is one of the most overlooked but important aspects of athletic performance.

“We push hydration really heavily here to make sure we’re preventing injury risk and electrolyte imbalances,” Gustafson stated. She elaborated that this is extremely crucial, considering some players lose almost 10 pounds of fluid per practice from sweat alone.

Gustafson explained that athletes undergo hydration testing regularly so staff members can tailor hydration plans to individual players. Research on dehydrated Division I basketball players, she said, shows noticeable declines in shooting accuracy, focus, and energy output.

“They sent basketball players out already dehydrated, and their shooting percentage was down,” Gustafson said. “Their ability to exert energy was decreased.”

Sleep is another major priority for the program. While many college students stay up late playing video games or scrolling on social media, athletes are encouraged to maintain disciplined sleep schedules during intense training periods.

“They’re 18 to 22 years old, so they want to stay up late, but sleep is so important for recovery and coming in with a clear head each day,” Gustafson stated.

Nutrition before and after workouts is also carefully planned. Gustafson stated that athletes are typically given carbohydrate-heavy foods before workouts to provide energy, while post-workout meals focus heavily on protein and recovery supplements.

“We want them going into practice well fueled with carbohydrates,” she said. “Then, following a workout, we’re pushing heavy protein intake for recovery purposes.”

Among the recovery tools used by athletes is tart cherry juice, which Gustafson said can help reduce inflammation and aid recovery after strenuous practices.

Pictured is the men’s basketball team’s kitchen. This area is regularly stocked with convenient, healthy options for players to grab on the go as they’re making their way in and out of the locker room between practices and team lifts. By Owyn Dawyot – May 10, 2026

Despite having access to elite resources, Gustafson said many athletes still struggle with consistency when it comes to nutrition. Convenience plays a major role in eating habits, especially for busy college athletes balancing practices, travel, and academics.

Due to demanding schedules, athletes often rely on quick meals instead of cooking for themselves. Gustafson explained that while ideal nutrition is important, ensuring athletes simply eat enough during the season is also critical.

“In season, I’d rather them be eating than not eating,” Gustafson said. “If it has to be Chipotle, that’s fine with me.”

She also noted that many incoming freshmen arrive with very limited nutrition knowledge. “A lot of times, they’ve just been tall and strong their whole life, and that got them here. If they know what a carb, protein, and fat are, I’d consider that pretty advanced for a high schooler,” Gustafson stated.

Transfer athletes from smaller schools sometimes possess slightly more practical knowledge because they previously lacked access to nutrition staff and had to learn independently. However, Gustafson said many athletes still do not fully understand the relationship between nutrition, inflammation, immunity, and recovery until they arrive at a Power Five program.

Schutt said watching professional athletes has also reinforced the importance of recovery and health. He specifically mentioned players like LeBron James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as examples of athletes who heavily invest in their bodies.

“You’re seeing LeBron getting oxygen tanks and doing all these things for his health,” Schutt said. “You start to realize how much professional athletes spend on their health because it’s their job.”

For Schutt, healthy habits have become less of a temporary in-season routine and more of a lifestyle. He admitted that when he was younger, he would celebrate the end of a season with donuts, cookies, and junk food. However, over time, he realized how difficult it became to regain conditioning after unhealthy stretches.

“It’s so hard to get back into shape,” Schutt claimed. “I’d rather sacrifice the opportunity to cheat on meals than let my body go.”

“Nutrition habits capitalize in a good or bad way.” – Savannah Gustafson

Gustafson emphasized that the effects of nutrition are somewhat of a snowball effect. According to her, the differences between a well-fueled athlete and an under-fueled athlete may not appear immediately, but they become very noticeable over the course of a season.

Beyond basketball performance, Gustafson said one of her goals is to help athletes build habits that will continue after sports end. Transitioning away from athletics can be difficult physically and mentally, especially for athletes whose daily routines have revolved around training for years.

She explained that many former athletes struggle after retirement because they no longer maintain the same level of activity but continue the same eating habits. Helping players understand long-term wellness, she said, is just as important as preparing them for games.

For Schutt, that long-term perspective already shapes the way he approaches health today. Even after basketball, he expects to continue prioritizing exercise, clean eating, and recovery.

“I think especially when I’m getting older, I’ll try to eat as healthy as I can and maintain a nice workout routine,” Schutt stated.

As conversations surrounding mental health, wellness, and performance continue growing in sports, athletes are increasingly recognizing that success depends on more than talent alone. Recovery, sleep, hydration, and nutrition are becoming foundational pieces of athletic performance rather than secondary concerns.

For athletes like Jaden Schutt, the goal is simple – treat the body well now in order to perform better today, and to live healthier tomorrow.

By Andrew Honaker, Arts, Culture and Sports reporter

The structure of college athletics is shifting rapidly, and programs like Virginia Tech are already feeling the impact.

On any given weekend in Blacksburg, the atmosphere around college sports still looks familiar. Fans pack into Lane Stadium, traditions remain intact, and the pageantry that defines college athletics continues to draw attention. But beneath that surface, the system that has long defined college sports is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history.

From changes in player movement to the growing influence of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, the traditional model of college athletics has been replaced by something far less predictable. What was once a system defined by stability, continuity, and clearly defined rules has evolved into one shaped by financial competition, shifting regulations, and constant roster turnover.

Now, with federal involvement entering the conversation, the future of college athletics faces even more uncertainty.

In April 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at stabilizing college athletics amid growing concerns over NIL, transfers and financial imbalance. The White House described the current system as a “chaotic state of affairs,” driven by inconsistent rules and an “out-of-control financial arms race” that threatens both universities and non-revenue sports.

The order represents one of the most direct federal efforts to address the evolving structure of college athletics, a system that many believe has outgrown its traditional governance model. While college sports have historically been governed by organizations like the NCAA, a combination of legal challenges, state-level legislation and financial pressures has weakened centralized control.

Bill Roth, the longtime radio voice of Virginia Tech football and a Sports Media and Analytics professor, said the transformation of college athletics has already been dramatic, even before federal involvement became part of the conversation.

“The guardrails that had been in place for years no longer exist, and the money flowing directly to athletes has increased exponentially“

Bill Roth

Over the past several years, a series of court rulings have reshaped the legal framework surrounding college athletics. Decisions at both the federal and state levels have challenged long-standing NCAA restrictions, particularly in areas related to compensation and eligibility. As a result, schools have been forced to adapt quickly to a system that is still evolving in real time.

Recent policy changes have weakened many of the traditional structures that once governed recruiting, player movement and financial distribution. Without those guardrails, schools are now operating in an environment where competitive advantage is often tied directly to financial resources.

At the same time, the lack of consistent oversight has left the system without a clear governing structure.

“The business of college athletics can’t govern itself, but the role of the federal government isn’t to fix bad business models,” Roth said.

That tension — between a system that lacks internal control and uncertainty around external regulation — is at the center of the current debate surrounding federal involvement in college athletics.

While those changes are happening at a national level, their effects are already being felt at Virginia Tech, where programs are adjusting to new realities in recruiting, roster management and financial planning.

Evan Hughes, the play-by-play broadcaster for multiple Virginia Tech sports, said two developments have driven much of that change: the transfer portal and NIL.

“The two biggest changes in college athletics over the last few years have been the transfer portal and NIL,” he said. “It’s been unique to see how both sometimes go together.”

In the past, roster stability was a defining characteristic of college sports. Players typically developed within a program over several years, and coaching staffs could build long-term systems around returning athletes. That model has shifted dramatically.

The transfer portal has created a system where player movement is more fluid than ever before, allowing athletes to change programs with fewer restrictions. At the same time, NIL opportunities have introduced financial considerations into those decisions, adding another layer of complexity.

Those shifts have directly influenced how teams are built and maintained from year to year, creating new challenges for programs trying to balance competitiveness with financial limitations.

“Teams only have a certain amount of money to work with NIL-wise, and that varies by sport,” he said. “That impacts how rosters are built and how teams retain players each offseason.”

As a result, roster continuity — once a cornerstone of college athletics — has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Coaching staff must now navigate not only recruiting and player development, but also retention, financial allocation and external competition for talent.

Financial differences between programs have only intensified that issue, creating a growing divide across the college sports landscape.

“The rich get richer, and smaller programs can’t always keep their best players because it’s essentially free agency every year.”

Evan Hughes

That disparity is particularly significant for programs like Virginia Tech, which must compete against schools with larger financial resources and more established NIL infrastructures. While Virginia Tech remains competitive within its conference, the broader national landscape has shifted in ways that make sustained success more difficult to maintain.

Adjustments are already underway at Virginia Tech, where leadership has begun to respond to the changing environment.

“We’ve already seen it,” Roth said. “The Board of Visitors has enacted major changes in the last few months to adjust how athletics operates at Virginia Tech.”

Those changes reflect a broader shift across college athletics, as schools attempt to adapt to a system that continues to evolve without a clear long-term framework. From restructuring budgets to exploring new revenue streams, athletic departments are being forced to think differently about how they operate.

One of the biggest questions moving forward is sustainability — a challenge that extends beyond individual programs.

“Where the revenue will come from at most schools, including Virginia Tech, is the biggest challenge,” he said.

As expenses increase and competition intensifies, many programs are relying more heavily on external revenue sources. Media rights, in particular, have become a central driver of financial growth in college athletics.

The increasing reliance on media revenue, particularly from television deals, continues to shape the direction of college sports. Expanded playoff formats, conference realignment and increased media exposure have all contributed to a system where financial success is closely tied to visibility and broadcast value.

“Media rights are paying for all of this, and the chase for additional revenue will determine the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ of the next generation of college athletics,” he said.

That divide — between programs with access to significant media revenue and those without — is expected to widen in the coming years, further reshaping the competitive landscape.

As financial stakes continue to rise, the potential for federal involvement adds another layer of complexity.

The executive order outlines possible changes to eligibility rules, transfer limits and NIL regulation, all aimed at creating a more standardized system across college athletics. However, questions remain about how those changes would be implemented and whether they will address the underlying issues facing the sport.

Uncertainty surrounding those changes is already influencing how programs operate.

From roster decisions to long-term planning, athletic departments are being forced to adapt in real time while navigating a system that continues to shift beneath them. Without clear, consistent guidelines, schools are left to make decisions in an environment where rules may change at any moment.

At the same time, the way college athletics is covered has also evolved.

“It’s unique now to see college sports covered like professional sports, with deals being negotiated openly and buyouts becoming part of the conversation,” Hughes said.

That shift reflects a broader transformation in how college athletics is perceived. As financial elements become more visible, the line between amateur and professional sports continues to blur, changing both how the games are played and how they are discussed.

For programs like Virginia Tech, the challenge moving forward will be navigating that new reality while maintaining competitiveness and stability in an increasingly complex system.

With federal involvement now part of the conversation, the future of college athletics remains uncertain — shaped by financial pressures, evolving policies and the ongoing search for a sustainable model.

For now, the only certainty is that the system continues to change.

By Andrew Honaker, arts, culture & sports reporter

Virginia Tech softball has built one of its strongest starts in program history, combining talent, teamwork, and determination to dominate early in the season. The Hokies have shown consistency at the plate and on the mound while fostering strong chemistry both on and off the field. With a 25–4 record, Virginia Tech continues to prove itself as a top contender in the ACC and looks to carry this momentum through the remainder of the regular season and into postseason play.

-Virginia Tech’s next series is vs NC State on March 20th-23rd

By Andrew Honaker, arts, culture & sports reporter

Virginia Tech has battled injuries and lineup changes throughout the season while remaining in contention. With several games decided in the final seconds, the Hokies now turn their focus to execution as they travel to North Carolina and Virginia to end the regular season and prepare for the ACC Tournament.