Jen Hatz - Football Coach - Pitt Panthers #H2P

Jen Hatz

Title:
Sports Dietitian (FB)
Email:
jhatz@athletics.pitt.edu

Jen Hatz joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics in May 2019 as the Football Team Dietitian. She oversees all nutrition needs for the Pitt football program, emphasizing evidence-based sports nutrition protocols and establishing educational outlets for athletes and staff at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

In her first year with the University of Pittsburgh, Hatz implemented sports nutrition protocols that eradicated on-field cramping and hydration concerns, improved body composition markers, and allowed for increased playing time with enhanced fueling techniques. She has markedly increased nutritionally-sound fueling and hydration within the football performance facility, as well as during travel, and for gamedays both home and away. Hatz implemented a relationship with grocery delivery services to the football performance facility including custom-delivered groceries for the team hotel rooms throughout fall training camp. She works closely with the Pittsburgh Steelers Executive Chef and his staff to provide high quality meals to the football program, emphasizing locally sourced meats and produce, and encouraging local economy and businesses to help support the fueling needs of the Pittsburgh Panthers Football program.

Hatz emphasizes education in everything she does, including designing customized educational materials and a Pitt Football Nutrition Manual that all players receive as well as a series of lectures and social media posts, known as “Jen-Talks”, that provide realistic education and advice on nutrition, supplementation, training, sleep, and many other lifestyle factors that play a role in a student athlete’s progress.

She has begun to establish a Sports Nutrition department within the football program including a student volunteer program to aid in the fueling and hydration needs of the team, as well as internship roles for future dietitians to gain hands-on experience throughout the season.

Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, Hatz worked as a sports dietitian with the NFL Combine training program and NFL International Pathway Program at IMG Academy. She also spent several years as a sports nutrition intern with Florida State University Football and the Florida State University athletics department including fuel bar management, assisting several teams with their training camps, and assisting with management of the athlete dining hall. She was a seasonal intern with Team USA Swimming at the USOC in Colorado Springs, Colo., as well as Team USA Track and Field in Orlando, Fla.

Hatz is a Registered Dietitian as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, magna cum laude with a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition from Florida State University, and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University. She writes an evidence-based nutrition blog and films her own educational lecture series for her YouTube channel.

Originally from Carol Stream, Ill., Hatz currently resides in Pittsburgh.

Beyond the Bio
Favorite sports moment at Pitt?
Pulling off the upset with a trick play in the 2019 Pitt-UCF game! The entire game was the most adrenaline-soaked, high-anxiety, emotional roller coaster of an experience but ending it with the “Pitt Special” to pull off the win was an incredible feeling. The pride I had for our guys was insurmountable and can only be rivaled by the feeling of relief when that score changed one final time as the clock expired.

What is your favorite thing to do in the city of Pittsburgh?
Absolutely anything outside! Hiking different trails, biking around the city, kayaking, climbing, seeing concerts and live music, checking out different food festivals and new restaurants, catching a Steelers game at Heinz field or Pirates game at PNC Park. There’s a perfect balance of “city life” with different neighborhoods and hot spots, as well as active and outdoorsy “country life” just outside of the city.

What do you love most about the University of Pittsburgh?
There is a warmth and familiarity among all staff and students. I immediately felt like I was part of a family where everyone is genuine and welcomes you with unconditional love and respect. I take pride in associating with a University that holds such high moral and intellectual standards, as well as one that is competitive athletically!

What do you love most about working in athletics?
There is a high degree of determination and desire that all athletics personnel have when they begin their day. That energy is contagious and sets the stage for collaborative and creative work environments. I wake up every morning excited to take on the day because I know everyone else in that building is equally as motivated to have a great day.

Favorite quote?
“Whatever it is you want, go out there and get it.”
“She believed she could, so she did.”

Hobbies outside of work?
Anything active and outdoorsy! Hiking different National and State Parks, biking around the city or mountain biking, kayaking, rock-climbing, snowboarding, yoga, trail running, skating, dancing, really any type of fitness or exercise!