Karen Langeland graduated Grand Rapids Central Christian in the class of 1966. While at Central Christian, Karen excelled as a basketball, volleyball, and tennis player, winning the MVP award in each sport. Karen then went on to Calvin College where she played and excelled in basketball, tennis, field hockey, and volleyball.

Karen began an illustrious coaching career with three years at East Kentwood High School, and then moved on to Michigan State University where she became the women’s basketball coach, a position she held for 24 years. Karen was named the Big 10 Coach of the Year in 1988, District Coach of the Year in 1991, and her ’96-’97 team won the Big 10 title. During her career, Coach Langeland’s teams won 376 games, had four 20-win seasons, they played in the NCAA Tournament three times, and the NIT twice. Coach Langeland was twice chosen to coach Big Ten All-Star teams that each went 6-0 competing against top teams from England, Scotland, Denmark, and Germany.

After retiring from coaching, Karen became an Associate Athletic director at MSU. She was the director of the MSU summer camps program while also serving as liaison to the MSU booster clubs, as well as coordinating the MSU Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and related activities. During this time Karen also oversaw and supervised 10 Olympic sports. Karen retired from active participation in MSU athletics in 2012. MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis noted Karen’s “…energy, her deep commitment to student-athletes, vision, and attention to detail.”

Karen’s career as an athlete, coach, and administrator are remarkable accomplishments as well as her trail-blazing leadership in the field of women’s athletics.