#KnowYourOCAthleticsStaff: Karen Lutzke

September 14, 2020

With only a few athletic teams competing this fall, we knew the Olivet College fans are going to miss sports just as much as our student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff. We are hoping to fill that void by having some special content on our website throughout the semester. On Mondays, you will get to #KnowYourOCAthleticsStaff through some questions and answers with our head coaches and athletic administration.

Question 1: What is your name?
Answer 1: Karen Lutzke

Q2: What is your current job title?
A2: Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach

Q3: How long have you been at Olivet?
A3: 10 years

Q4: What made you decide to come to Olivet?
A4: There was an opportunity to try and make a difference in the track & field/cross country programs and the student-athletes whom I would be coaching.

Q5: What is the number one reason you tell a prospective student-athlete on why he/she should attend Olivet?
A5: I tell recruits they will have opportunities at Olivet College they won't have at other schools because we genuinely care about them as people. The interactions they will have with their professors, coaches and peers will last a lifetime. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in more than their sport as it is important to be a well-rounded individual.

Q6: Where did you attend college?
A6: Michigan State University

Q7: Did you play any sports in college?
A7: I ran cross country and track & field.

Q8: What is an interesting fact about yourself that nobody knows?
A8: Before starting to coach collegiately, I taught middle school math and coached middle school track and field and cheerleading.

Q9: Family? Spouse's name, and children's name(s)?
A9: Husband Mitch. Three adult children: Matt, Greg (2015 Olivet graduate) and Laura

Q10: Any other information you want to share about yourself?
A10: I was an All American at Michigan State and qualified for the Olympic track & field trials!