Join Members of the UT Tennis Team on Nov. 15 as they Perfect Their Footwork – In The Aisles of Publix

TAMPA, Fla. - In preparation for the spring season, the UT women's tennis team is not only working on their drop shots, volleys, service aces and backhand winners, they're also working on their carbohydrates, trans-fats, meal planning and grocery-buying habits.

In fact, members of the media are welcome to join the UT women's team take a tour of Publix with two registered dietitians to learn how to eat healthy on a budget, how to read a nutrition label and to strategically shop at a grocery store.

Along with local dietitian Loran Lane and Publix in-store dietitian Jamie Stolarz, the team will visit the Publix on Bayshore, 243 Bayshore Blvd., on Friday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m.

The tour of Publix is part of the team's four-week "Eat to Compete" seminar, which has been developed between the UT tennis team and the UT Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance.

UT tennis coach Al DuFaux said Publix is a perfect partner for the tour, not only due to its proximity to campus, but also to the number of dietitian services they provide customers, such as nutrition counseling, meal planning and personal shopping assistance.

"The better nutrition an athlete, or any individual has, the better they will be able to compete, both on the court and in the classroom," DuFaux said.

For the three other Friday seminars, which began on Oct. 25, the team:
• Attended a presentation on overall good nutrition;
• Went on a campus eatery tour, in which they identified healthy eating options on campus;
• Competed amongst themselves in "Nutrition Myth Busters."

To join the tennis team at Publix, or to learn more about the Eat to Compete program, contact the UT Office of Public information, the UT Sports Information Department at tkolbe@ut.edu, UT tennis coach Al DuFaux at adufaux@ut.edu, or Brian West, Publix media and community relations manager, at brian.west@publix.com or (863) 688-1188 x63486.

To contact the Publix dietitian in Riverview, email dietitian.890@publix.com.