Rutgers Athletics Announces Partnership with Medifast
Jan 20 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics today announced an innovative partnership with Medifast, Inc. in its launch of a sports nutrition product line. Through this partnership, Medifast will act as a manufacturer of sports nutrition products branded as Dual Fuel™, with a portion of the proceeds from product sales benefitting the R Fund. The partnership was brokered by IMG College, the school's exclusive media rights partner.
The Dual Fuel™ product line will initially consist of two nutritional bars and two ready-to-drink (RTD) shakes to help deliver optimal performance. The products are available at
Rutgers.DualFuelNutrition.com and concessions at the Rutgers Athletic Center and High Point Solution Stadium with additional distribution planned. Both products were designed in partnership with the University's athletic department, trainers and conditioning team to deliver great taste while remaining NCAA compliant.
Medifast, a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven weight-loss and healthy living products and programs, is also partnering with The V Foundation for Cancer Research®. The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, who co-captained Rutgers 1966-67 basketball team to its first postseason berth and advanced to the semifinals of the NIT. This past December, Rutgers honored the team at a dinner with all net proceeds going to The V Foundation.
"With the launch of our new sports nutrition product line, we're targeting athletes and the active lifestyle consumer," said Michael MacDonald, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Medifast, Inc. "With the help of our partners - The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Rutgers University, we have created something particularly special. Having played basketball for Rutgers and developed a friendship with Jim Valvano, this is a very meaningful launch."
"We are pleased to partner with Medifast, Inc. on this initiative that benefits our student-athletes athletically, academically, and personally through the R Fund," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Patrick Hobbs. "This partnership provides us additional monetary resources to support our 24 athletic programs in the pursuit of Big Ten Conference championships."
MacDonald attended Rutgers from 1971-75 and competed on the hardwood for the Scarlet Knights in the 1974 NIT and 1975 NCAA Tournament with current head coach Eddie Jordan. Upon graduating, MacDonald started his professional career at Iona College as a graduate assistant under Valvano. Although brief, this assignment sparked a lasting friendship with Jim and the Valvano family that led to MacDonald's 21-year board affiliation with The V Foundation. Following his assignment at Iona, MacDonald launched an executive career that would eventually position him among the ranks of notable Rutgers Alumni CEOs and business leaders. MacDonald served on the Rutgers University Board of Trustees from 1990-2000 and has been an avid fan and supporter of the Rutgers Athletic program throughout the years.
Dual Fuel™ Bars are made with a proprietary dual layer combination - one crispy and crunchy made with healthy whole grains, the other sweet and chewy, made with real peanut butter or Cocoa—for the right combination of carbohydrates and protein to help meet energy needs and fuel recovery after exercise. These products contain milk protein, and whey protein, which is known to be digested and absorbed relatively quickly by the body. Dual Fuel™ bars also contain no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and only 3 grams of sugar and 150 calories, compared to other leading national products that typically contain between 8 to 21 grams of sugar. Initially, the bars will come in two flavors, Peanut Butter Fudge and Double Chocolate.
Dual Fuel™ Ready-to-Drink Shakes are made with high quality dairy protein and electrolytes to help rehydrate, and fuel the body after exercise. These Shakes contain 18 grams of protein and are made with real Cocoa or Vanilla extract, sweetened with monk fruit and stevia extract, and contain no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives and are a good source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, & E. Initially, the shakes will come in two flavors, Chocolate Milkshake and Vanilla Blast.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
-RU-
About Medifast:
Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven, portion-controlled weight-loss program. The company sells its products and programs via four unique distribution channels: 1) the web and national call centers, 2) the Take Shape For Life personal coaching division, 3) Medifast Weight Control Centers, and 4) a national network of physicians. Medifast was founded in 1980 and is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. For more information, log onto www.MedifastNow.com.
About the R Fund:
The R Fund is the annual giving component of Rutgers Athletics. Its mission is to provide student-athletes with the support they need to realize their full potential as students, as athletes, and as individuals. The collective vision and financial contributions of donors help R Fund advance the mission of Rutgers Athletics and assist student-athletes as they strive to earn degrees, become leaders, and win championships.
