Take Your Friend To Work Day- My Morning With McNeese’s Football Team

F or my column this go ‘round, I decided to tag along with my friend Liz Kingham. Liz is an extremely likable human being — everyone who meets her instantly loves her. I don’t think she has a single enemy on this planet, which is why I forced her into a friendship a few years ago. She also happens to be the director of performance nutrition for McNeese Athletics. It’s a new position for the athletic department that has her working closely with trainers and strength coaches to provide student-athletes with performance and nutrition strategies. 

She was a forward on the McNeese women’s basketball team for five years, including the Southland Conference championship teams of 2011 and 2012. Liz graduated with a bachelor’s in Health Promotion and Exercise Physiology and later went on to receive a master’s in Public Health in Nutrition. She currently owns Pure Vida, a functional movement gym and nutrition consulting agency that specializes in mobility for teams and athletes plus senior citizens. And, she’s my bud. 

Liz will tell you there’s nothing ‘former’ about being a collegiate athlete. “Being an athlete is not something you grow out of just because college ends,” she says. “I see a basketball and immediately think I can pick up where I left off, even though I haven’t played a game in 10-plus years.” On this particular day, Liz was presenting a lesson to the football players on heat acclimatization.  

It was (no surprise here) an especially hot and humid morning in Southwest Louisiana. I showed up to the Jack Doland field house and followed Liz through a side door. She pulled up her power point as the very, very sweaty football players filed into the room. “Shirts on,” a strength coach yelled as he locked eyes with me. I’m not sure if directing them to throw a shirt on was typical instruction or if it was to protect the eyes of Lagniappe’s press girl.

In the mornings, the team runs and practices daily from 6 to 7 except for Wednesdays — that’s their day off, and practice is voluntary. Why anyone would voluntarily exercise in Louisiana heat is a great mystery. 

Before Liz got down to business, she had the team sing “Happy Birthday” to redshirt freshman and defensive back Kandyn Cordova. I loved that. 

This was week four of six of Liz’s summer performance nutrition lesson. “I want you guys to understand that what you do when you’re not at practice or training, like what you do on the weekends, for example, will affect your performance — whether you like it or not,” she said — an important lesson for a group of college dudes. 

“Heat acclimatization is a process that allows the body to gradually adapt to exercising in hot and humid conditions,” she said. Liz schooled the group on how hydration starts at least two days before practice and reminded them of the importance of small sips and electrolytes for hydration. I found myself nodding along and even learning a thing or two. 

“The name of the game is who can stay healthiest the longest,” she said. It’s something Liz knows a lot about. When she was playing basketball, she fought knee injuries, and that’s given her a unique perspective on athletic resiliency, patience and proper overall health. Seeing her turn around and use that well-earned wisdom with our collegiate athletes is really cool. 

For players like linebacker Marques White, who went to high school in Arizona and hadn’t previously experienced our flavor of humid heat, these lessons are important. “Each athlete has unique nutritional needs, and each of them come with very different backgrounds. The off-season is where I push them to create change. Finding a groove during that time is easier than going through the trial and error of fueling while they’re in season — when their main focus is on field performance.”

After Liz’s lesson, we walked across the football field with half of the team while the other half made their way to the cafeteria for breakfast. The team is currently exercising in a temporary tent while they wait for the new Navarre Performance Center to be completed. I’m told that should happen no later than Jan. 1. The rap music in the tent was blaring, and I was surprised to find that the air conditioning works quite well.

The players each have a workout plan written by Adam Lange, director of sports performance. “I’m just going to tell you right now before you ask, I’m not moving you up in weight today,” I heard him say to a player. The workouts began with a little bit of mobility — using exercise bands to open up the hips before getting right into it. A different strength coach was floating around yelling over the music reminding the players about proper form. 

I zoned in on quarterback Clifton McDowell doing an exercise I’ve never seen before, despite being an avid gym junkie. “That’s a power shrug,” Liz said laughing at my expression. Apparently, it’s a pretty popular exercise that strengthens the shoulder and upper arm muscles, but to me he just looked perplexed.

McDowell, who’s one of four quarterbacks for the upcoming season, is new to McNeese and is in his final collegiate season; last season he led the University of Montana to the FCS national championship game.

After my time with the team, I’m confident that between those impressive shrugs, Liz’s guidance and this season’s heavy recruiting, we’ll see the football team turn things around. At least, I sure hope so. 

If I can be honest, I’ve never been more pumped to be a member of the press. I get to shadow my impressive friends and call it ‘work’ and, come fall of 2025, I fully expect to weasel my way into that fancy $32 million press box while I cheer on the Pokes.

In my experience, you should surround yourself with hard-working, creative and kind people like Liz. Rising tides, ya know? 

Have an idea for Diana’s next experience? Let her know by emailing her at diana.vallette@gmail.com