Corvallis Gazette-Times

CORVALLIS — Ingrid Skoog’s passion for nutrition began as a student at Oregon State, and it led her into a new field she helped pioneer.

Skoog graduated in 1986 with a degree in nutrition and dietetics, and wanted to join the Peace Corps to save the world. However, she entered the public health field instead.

She worked as a nutrition education specialist and coordinator for Portland Public Schools, and as an exercise physiologist and manager at the Oregon Health Sciences University Human Performances Laboratory.

While running one day it occurred to her that she could combine athletics and nutrition. So she went back to OSU to earn a master’s degree in exercise science in 1992.

“At that point there were no programs that merge nutrition and exercise performance,” Skoog said. “There was some research going on, but it was in its infancy in looking at nutrition’s role in performance at the scientific level. I got into the study of it early.”

Skoog was a sports nutrition consultant, which meant part-time work, at Colorado State. She was hired full-time at Oregon in 1999.

The Ducks were on the cutting edge at the time. Skoog was the first nutritionist in the Pacific-10 Conference and one of the first in the country.

“And now I’ve come full circle,” Skoog said. “It was a tough decision to leave, but I learned so much in that process I was ready to do it again and apply what I learned. Then I got the chance to do it where I went to school. And I love Corvallis.”

The idea to bring in a nutritionist began more than a year ago. Her old professor, Dr. Anthony Wilcox, is now the chair of the exercise science department at OSU and helped create the position.

When the funding became available, Skoog jumped at the opportunity. Skoog not only works with athletes, but will teach a regular class.

“I think it’s a great move to have her be part of our support team for the student-athletes,” trainer Barney Graff said. “The goal, outside of winning, is to take the years they are with us and teach them to make the right choices when they graduate out on their own.”

Skoog made a difference at Oregon and is confident her plans can work for the Beavers.

Her ideas will take many years to fully implement. It took eight years at Oregon.

“I know nutrition impacts performance,” Skoog said. “If I work with someone, and if they apply what I do, their performance will improve. I’m just confident in that. I’m excited to work with teams and individuals to see that change.”