For student-athletes, success begins before game day.
Beyond practice, staying competitive requires access to resources that support physical performance and overall well-being. At San Diego State University, the new Aztec Nutrition Center is helping elevate the student-athlete experience by making those resources readily available.
Opened in August 2026, the center serves all SDSU student-athletes and is the primary location for performance nutrition meals. It offers customizable menus, nutritious meals, recovery support and performance education. The Aztec Nutrition Center is located on the first floor of Sunset Plaza on Lindo Paseo. The hours of operation are daily 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.with SDSU Athletics-exclusive Dining Windows from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The Aztec Nutrition Center was made possible through SDSU Athletic’s partnership with Aztec Shops, along with philanthropic support, including a $1 million grant from the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation. The foundation’s generosity is helping SDSU Athletics create a more comprehensive support system for student-athletes, one that recognizes nutrition as an essential part of health, wellness, academic success and competitive excellence.
“The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation’s generosity is helping strengthen the student-athlete experience at San Diego State,” said John David Wicker, SDSU director of intercollegiate athletics. “The Aztec Nutrition Center provides our student-athletes with consistent access to the meals and resources they need while also creating a new and healthy dining resource for students, faculty and staff across campus.”
SDSU student-athletes receive one Performance Nutrition meal each weekday through the athletics nutrition program. During SDSU Athletics-exclusive dining windows, the all-you-care-to-eat service gives student-athletes flexibility to meet the demands of training, competition and recovery.
But the center provides more than meals. It also gives student-athletes a place to gather, connect and build relationships with their teammates.
"The Aztec Nutrition Center has been an amazing supplemental resource to us as student-athletes,” said senior women’s tennis player and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president, Teja Tirunelveli. “It allows us to interact and bond with teammates and peers across different teams. The nutritious rotating menu also gives us the energy to perform at our best on and off the court."
“My experience so far using the Aztec Nutrition Center has been amazing. Not only does it help student-athletes fuel their bodies correctly, but it also has been a great way to meet new people and see new faces,” said senior baseball player, Drew Rutter. “It also takes a load of stress off our shoulders knowing we have a nutritious meal throughout the day instead of rushing home after class, making a quick meal, then rushing back to the field. The ambiance, food quality, and affordability has definitely exceeded everyone's expectations!”
"The Aztec Nutrition Center has honestly become one of my favorite places on campus,” said sophomore softball player, Emma French. “I love the quality of the food and how the menu changes, so there is always something different to look forward to. I also really like the environment it has created for us as student-athletes. It gives us a place to hang out, connect with each other, and just spend time together outside of our sport. On top of that, the staff is always so kind and supportive, which makes the nutrition center feel really welcoming. It has definitely become a place I look forward to going to.”
“I think the Aztec Nutrition Center is a great thing for us student-athletes,” said sophomore men’s soccer player Nik Orth. “We all go there every day after practice together and have a great team lunch. It’s really good for team bonding.”
“I love having access to the Aztec Nutrition Center,” said junior women’s basketball player Bailey Barnhard. I’ve been able to properly fuel my body while also getting a chance to share meals with other athletes and build community. "
That sense of connection extends beyond SDSU Athletics. Outside athletics-exclusive dining windows, the Aztec Nutrition Center serves as a shared resource for SDSU students, faculty and staff, who can purchase made-to-order meals using their campus meal plans or other payment methods. The center expands access to nutritious, high-quality dining while creating a welcoming space for the broader university community to gather.
The Zable Foundation’s gift is helping establish a lasting foundation for student-athlete success and equitable access to nutrition resources as SDSU enters a new era of competition in the Pac-12. Additional philanthropic support will help sustain the Aztec Nutrition Center’s operations and ensure continued access to balanced, nutritious meals that provide the foundation for championship performance. With ongoing support, future Aztecs can benefit from the resources they need to train, recover and thrive long term.
For information about supporting the Aztec Nutrition Center or SDSU Athletics, please contact Bob Moosbrugger, deputy athletic director at bobm@sdsu.edu.