This year, the Marist Athletic Department welcomed Sydney Nitzkorski, the first athletic specialty nutritionist in school history, and Dominic Dutton, the new head football athletic trainer. Read below to find out more about each new hire:
Marist Hires Sydney Nitzkorski as First Athletic Specialty Nutritionist
The hiring of Nitzkorski makes Marist one of only five schools in the MAAC Conference with an athletic nutritionist.
Nitzkorski, a former athlete, competed in gymnastics from the age of two until she was 18 and graduated from Brown University in 2000 where she was on the school’s gymnastics team. She later earned a master’s degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Columbia University.
Her career includes eight years working in New York City gyms and serving as a nutritionist at the University of Pennsylvania. She maintains strong bonds with her former teammates, even two decades later.
“There’s something so powerful about [a] team sport,” said Nitzkorski about her gymnastics experience.
Nitzkorski’s interest in nutrition started in high school. In college, she became increasingly interested in how diet influenced athletic performance, including personal nutrition.
While many of her Columbia classmates aimed to work in hospitals, Nitzkorski’s passion was sports nutrition and working with athletes, noting that she particularly enjoys working with college athletes.
Although she has yet to work with a professional team, Nitzkorski has experience advising individual athletes, including some from the New York Rangers.
At Penn, her role was broad, providing services to the student body of 10,000 total. At Marist, she now focuses exclusively on athletes.
The role at Marist differs significantly from her previous job, citing closer relationships with athletes and coaches.
“The athletes I’m meeting here are more motivated, they’re more respectful, they’re more kind,” said Nitzkorski.
“I get to do a lot more performance-based nutrition, and I love that,” she added. “I love my situation here even more than at Penn.”
Among her priorities with her new athletes at Marist are more prominent hydration and early meals before practices. She emphasized the importance of eating something that can be physically tolerated and easy to get before exercising.
Nitzkorski’s connection with Marist began when her children joined the Red Fox Aquatics Club. After observing practices, she approached Athletic Director Tim Murray about the lack of a nutritionist.
“‘I think that’s missing. I think these athletes should have a nutritionist,’” she recalled telling Murray.
Understanding the pressures collegiate athletes face, Nitzkorski aims to help them see food as a support system. At Penn, she was not as integrated into the athletic department as she is now at Marist.
“I’m grateful to the coaches for setting up both the team lecture, but also sending individuals to me,” said Nitzkorski.
To better understand athletes’ needs, Nitzkorski attends practices, recently spending two hours with the crew team.
“Now I know a bit more about this sport; it’s easier for me to know the energy expenditure and what an athlete needs,” she said.
Nitzkorski hopes to prove to be a significant asset to Marist Athletics.
Marist Hires Dominic Dutton as New Head Football Athletic Trainer
Dutton is anything but new to Marist athletics. After a three-year career on the Marist Football team as a defensive lineman and a captain in his final season, Dutton graduated in May 2024 and served as a student trainer for the team during the spring. His familiarity with the program gives him a unique perspective in his new role.
“My ultimate goal here would be to bring in multiple championships, but, you know, start with one,” said Dutton.
After graduation, Dutton initially planned to pursue strength and conditioning. He spent the summer as an intern at Ohio State, working closely with the football team as well as the Associate Athletic Director for Football Sports Performance with the Buckeyes, Mickey Marotti.
“The staff and head coach, Coach Mick [Marotti], were huge role models to me,” said Dutton.
The internship was an eye-opener. While at Ohio State, Dutton gained valuable insights into the demands of elite athletic programs which exposed him to “work in a high-level environment, at high efficiency, and at a fast pace all the time.”
Dutton returned to Marist after recognizing the staff’s commitment to improving the program. As part of the newly formed coaching staff, Dutton will help implement a revamped training approach. He plans to introduce new strength programs, running techniques and injury prevention strategies, with adjustments based on last season’s injury trends.
“We’re planning for the off-season, focusing on getting players ready to perform at their best,” said Dutton.
The new coaching staff marks a fresh start for Marist Football. Dutton joins a team where most of the football staff are in their first or second seasons, including head coach Mike Willis.
The young staff brings a mix of “tremendous and winning backgrounds,” according to Dutton. He is optimistic about the team’s future, hoping to help Marist bring home a championship with a fresh and enthusiastic staff to work beside
“I wish I could have done it as a player, but now I’m back,” said Dutton.
With his experience at Ohio State and a fresh perspective on strength training, he’s poised to make a significant impact on the team’s development. Dutton is committed to building a sustainable program and aims to be part of a lasting foundation.
“It’s not going to flip around in the first year, but you’ll see us get there,” he said.
Edited by Max Rosen and Dan Aulbach
Graphic Credit: Victoria Guardino
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This is amazing