Former Titans’ dietitian Jill Merkel hired by APSU as director of sports nutrition

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison announced Thursday the hiring of Jill Merkel as the Governors’ new Director of Sports Nutrition.

Merkel is Austin Peay’s first full-time registered dietitian and is in charge of all dietary and nutritional needs for Governors’ athletic programs.

“I am thrilled to join Austin Peay as its sports nutritionist,” Merkel said. “I look forward to making an impact with the student-athletes to help them optimize their food and nutrition for athletic performance and overall health.”

Merkel, an Evansville, Indiana native, arrives at Austin Peay following five years (2017-22) with the Tennessee Titans, where she served as the team’s dietitian and collaborated with other sports performance staff including athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and chefs.

“We are very excited to welcome Jill to the Austin Peay family,” Harrison commented. “As we continue to ‘Level Up’ and enhance our student-athlete experience, the addition of a dietitian specializing in eating disorders and sports nutrition is a huge step. Our goal is to provide our 350 Governor student-athletes with all of the resources needed to excel in everything.”

Experience

Prior to her tenure with the Titans, Merkel served as a dietitian for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, working with NBA G-League players from 2018-20. In 2015-16, she worked as a Sports Performance Dietitian for EXOS of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, where she worked with athletes of all ages, including those from the NFL, NHL, NBA, and WNBA.

Merkel was an assistant director of performance nutrition for Virginia (2015), Louisville (2014), Oregon (2014), and Utah (2013-14). She oversaw all performance nutrition needs for the Cavaliers’ football and field hockey squads, Cardinals’ and Ducks’ football teams, and Utes’ football, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s skiing, and men’s golf programs.

Merkel is a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics and has been an adjunct faculty member in Southern Indiana’s College of Nursing and Health Professions since 2017.

Merkel earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Southern Indiana in 2012 after garnering a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from Indiana in 2008. She earned a master’s degree in nutrition, with an emphasis in sports nutrition, from Utah in 2014.

Nutrition room

Merkel presides over Austin Peay’s new state-of-the-art Nutrition Room on the first floor of Fortera Stadium.

“When it comes to winning, the path to victory is often paved when no one is watching,” Merkel said. “Austin Peay is committed to ensuring no stone is left unturned on its quest to win championships in all sports and help athletes achieve individual dreams, as evidenced by the opening of the Nutrition Room.”

The Nutrition Room is accessible to all Governors’ student-athletes.

“The Nutrition Room is a state-of-the-art space that was designed for our athletes to enhance the student-athlete experience on the nutrition component,” Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance Chris Campbell commented. “It was designed with convenience and high end appliances for the athletes to come in and have access to food with enough space to create an inviting environment to socialize with teammates and eat together. It is open at all times of the day to fuel our student-athletes, who learn from one of the best sports nutritionists in the nation.

“Just like any activity, nutrition takes practice. We strive to educate all athletes on proper nutrition by inspiring positive relationships with food, enhancing performance with fuel and recovery, and developing cooking and shopping skills during their time at Austin Peay. Our nutrition program provides a comprehensive, competitive advantage in shaping each student-athlete through consistent presence, practice, and education.”

The three-month renovation project came about out of a desire to do something to benefit all of Austin Peay’s 350 student-athletes.

“It really is a great time to be a Gov,” head football coach Scotty Walden said. “Along with a new state-of-the-art locker room, renovations to our indoor facility, and a brand new turf field, we are beyond excited about the updates made in our Nutrition Room. This is just one more reason why the Govs are taking the ASUN by storm.

“For the student-athletes, nutrition plays such a vital role in both the physical and mental health. Whether it’s after a workout, on the way to class, or refueling for practice, the benefits of the new nutrition room are countless. Along with the well-being of current student-athletes, this also paves the way for future Govs as we recruit the next generation.”

The room includes a full-service kitchen that allows for the preparation of meals for student-athletes and a large dining space for them. The area also includes a stocked fuel station, smoothie bar, hot line, dairy station, carving station, and grilled options.

“We see the new Nutrition Room as a transformational area for our program,” head softball coach Kassie Stanfill said. “It will give us a chance to provide our players with optimal nutrition, as well as being a state-of-the-art gathering place for all student-athletes at Austin Peay. I speak for our softball program when I say we’re extremely excited to put the new Nutrition Room to use.”

Nutrition is a big focus in Harrison’s administration, as it is a need to provide the proper nutrition, fueling, and hydration to receive better performances across all aspects of their lives.

The room also provides a place for the nutrition staff to hold educational sessions, and athletics department officials continue to add staffing in the area of nutrition.

“The Nutrition Room will allow us to provide nutritious meals to all of our student-athletes,” Merkel commented. “It will be a space for them to eat balanced, performance friendly foods in a convenient location, while being able to interact with other Austin Peay student-athletes. This facility will be one of the best in the ASUN. We are so thankful and excited for the opportunity to serve our student-athletes in this renovated space.”