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FCA Magazine > Karen Harvey, Florida State University

Karen Harvey, Florida State University

Published on October 31, 2012

FCA

Florida State's Karen Harvey
Family:
Husband – Kevin Sullivan Hometown: Paris, Ontario, Canada
Alma Mater: Michigan (1996)
Coaching Career:
-University of Illinois (2002-06)
-Florida State University (2007-Present)

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

One of the most accomplished women’s cross country coaches in the nation, Florida State’s Karen Harvey has built the Seminoles into a national powerhouse in just her sixth year with the program. Surrounded by several Christ-following coaches at FSU, the Ontario, Canada, native has been emboldened to profess her faith in the Lord while pushing her team to make a run at a national title.


FCA: Your Florida State coaching bio says, “Passionate in her pursuit of perfection…” What does that description mean to you?

KH: I definitely have to admit that I strive for perfection, and I really don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's just like walking with God. I am constantly trying to be closer to Him and trying to be a mirror of Him.

Before I began my relationship with God, though, I took the pursuit to an unhealthy level. I thought that was how I would get my runners to run fast, and it wasn’t healthy. I had my own issues that, without God, I would have never even come close to tackling. One of the greatest things that’s happened to me since getting to know God is that I’ve learned about balance and grace in coaching. I go to God for everything now, especially about my girls, asking Him to bless and protect their bodies from injuries and their minds before races and tough times away from the course. He continues to refine me, teaching me to let Him be the core of my life.

FCA: What do you try to instill into your athletes each season?

KH: Definitely having faith. Not every one of my athletes is a Christ-follower, but they all must have faith. It could be just in the process of getting as fit and as strong as we can before the season. And then they must bring that faith into each race because, when they hit a tough spot, the doubt creeps in and they have to have faith in their abilities. Every athlete deals with doubt at some point, but they have to have faith to know that it's the enemy attacking and the Lord will help them overcome. Or at least a faith to believe in everything they've done to prepare up until that point.

FCA: Why do you feel God put you in this position in sports?

KH: I had very little experience coaching when the University of Illinois hired me in 2002. They took a big chance on me. When I started doing it then, I just knew that’s what I was meant to do. And now that I know God, I see how He’s used coaching to make me a better person and to spread what He’s doing in my life to those around me. I really believe my girls see me change every year, becoming more balanced in my coaching and being more open and honest with them that I am not perfect and will make mistakes.

FCA: Why do you feel ministries like FCA are important?

KH: Athletes are super busy people, so, when they have an outlet like FCA where they can go and speak about God around other athletes, I think it's just so huge. It’s almost like being part of another team—a really healthy, important team in setting up principles for the rest of their lives. A lot of my girls are not going to be athletes after their time here is done, so FCA also helps lay a solid foundation to be healthy, Christ-following parents, employees and people in the future.

Originally Published: November 2012

Photos courtesy of FSU Sports Information

 

FCA Magazine > Karen Harvey, Florida State University

Karen Harvey, Florida State University

Published on October 31, 2012

FCA

Florida State's Karen Harvey
Family:
Husband – Kevin Sullivan Hometown: Paris, Ontario, Canada
Alma Mater: Michigan (1996)
Coaching Career:
-University of Illinois (2002-06)
-Florida State University (2007-Present)

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

One of the most accomplished women’s cross country coaches in the nation, Florida State’s Karen Harvey has built the Seminoles into a national powerhouse in just her sixth year with the program. Surrounded by several Christ-following coaches at FSU, the Ontario, Canada, native has been emboldened to profess her faith in the Lord while pushing her team to make a run at a national title.


FCA: Your Florida State coaching bio says, “Passionate in her pursuit of perfection…” What does that description mean to you?

KH: I definitely have to admit that I strive for perfection, and I really don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's just like walking with God. I am constantly trying to be closer to Him and trying to be a mirror of Him.

Before I began my relationship with God, though, I took the pursuit to an unhealthy level. I thought that was how I would get my runners to run fast, and it wasn’t healthy. I had my own issues that, without God, I would have never even come close to tackling. One of the greatest things that’s happened to me since getting to know God is that I’ve learned about balance and grace in coaching. I go to God for everything now, especially about my girls, asking Him to bless and protect their bodies from injuries and their minds before races and tough times away from the course. He continues to refine me, teaching me to let Him be the core of my life.

FCA: What do you try to instill into your athletes each season?

KH: Definitely having faith. Not every one of my athletes is a Christ-follower, but they all must have faith. It could be just in the process of getting as fit and as strong as we can before the season. And then they must bring that faith into each race because, when they hit a tough spot, the doubt creeps in and they have to have faith in their abilities. Every athlete deals with doubt at some point, but they have to have faith to know that it's the enemy attacking and the Lord will help them overcome. Or at least a faith to believe in everything they've done to prepare up until that point.

FCA: Why do you feel God put you in this position in sports?

KH: I had very little experience coaching when the University of Illinois hired me in 2002. They took a big chance on me. When I started doing it then, I just knew that’s what I was meant to do. And now that I know God, I see how He’s used coaching to make me a better person and to spread what He’s doing in my life to those around me. I really believe my girls see me change every year, becoming more balanced in my coaching and being more open and honest with them that I am not perfect and will make mistakes.

FCA: Why do you feel ministries like FCA are important?

KH: Athletes are super busy people, so, when they have an outlet like FCA where they can go and speak about God around other athletes, I think it's just so huge. It’s almost like being part of another team—a really healthy, important team in setting up principles for the rest of their lives. A lot of my girls are not going to be athletes after their time here is done, so FCA also helps lay a solid foundation to be healthy, Christ-following parents, employees and people in the future.

Originally Published: November 2012

Photos courtesy of FSU Sports Information

 

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