Karen McElwain, wife of UF head coach Jim McElwain, is an active participant in her husband's career. (Photo: Jay Metz)
Carter's Corner: McElwain's Better Half Stays Close to Action
Friday, February 12, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first glimpse most Florida fans got of Karen McElwain came through the windows of her home.
When Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley targeted Jim McElwain to take over the Gators in December 2014, Foley and members of his staff traveled to Fort Collins, Colo., to meet with the McElwains.
Soon after the Florida contingent arrived at their home, photographers on the scene captured images through the large windows of the McElwains as they discussed the Florida opening with Foley and Co.
A few days later Karen wore an orange dress to her husband's press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to officially introduce the McElwains to Gator Nation.
"The one great thing we know is every place we've been, we've had wonderful people touch our lives," McElwain said during his introduction. "As a family, we can speak to that."
Karen is often the bridge between fans and the coach. She has been an active participant in her husband's coaching career for four decades and that has remained the same in the 14 months since McElwain was hired at Florida.
If you have seen advertisements for McElwain's charity golf tournament that opened today and continues Saturday, you understand the First Couple of Florida Football works as a team.
The annual Florida head coach's tournament is now called "The Jim & Karen McElwain Scramble for Kids," and the couple's attention to detail has reinvigorated the event.
On Thursday night at the F-Club, the McElwains hosted an exclusive cocktail party for sponsors that included dinner and a silent auction. The pro-am event was Friday at Adena Golf and Country Club in Ocala, and on Saturday the scramble is scheduled for an 8 a.m. shotgun start at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.
While Karen attends games and is often at her husband's press conferences to see if he cracks any funny one-liners, she also has a voice as a co-founder of the website HeartForTheGame.com. The website features blogs told primarily through the view of coaches' wives.
"We started that about 5 years ago,'' Karen said. "We like to share positive information about coaches' wives and their families. It's a spot for them to share the charity work they do and the fun stories."
The wives share stories about their families, food and fashion.
Karen contributes primarily to the food section and has a cookbook in the works. The posts on the website are usually short and breezy, a way for fans to relate to the women behind the men on the sidelines.
"It's just kind of a positive glimpse into the profession that a lot of people ask about when the wives speak,'' Karen said. "We thought it would be great to have a blog that shares stories and recipes and the fashion tips on what to wear on game day."
Perhaps one day she can add a blog about this weekend's golf tournament. Her name is on it, too.
When Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley targeted Jim McElwain to take over the Gators in December 2014, Foley and members of his staff traveled to Fort Collins, Colo., to meet with the McElwains.
Soon after the Florida contingent arrived at their home, photographers on the scene captured images through the large windows of the McElwains as they discussed the Florida opening with Foley and Co.
A few days later Karen wore an orange dress to her husband's press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to officially introduce the McElwains to Gator Nation.
"The one great thing we know is every place we've been, we've had wonderful people touch our lives," McElwain said during his introduction. "As a family, we can speak to that."
Karen is often the bridge between fans and the coach. She has been an active participant in her husband's coaching career for four decades and that has remained the same in the 14 months since McElwain was hired at Florida.
If you have seen advertisements for McElwain's charity golf tournament that opened today and continues Saturday, you understand the First Couple of Florida Football works as a team.
The annual Florida head coach's tournament is now called "The Jim & Karen McElwain Scramble for Kids," and the couple's attention to detail has reinvigorated the event.
On Thursday night at the F-Club, the McElwains hosted an exclusive cocktail party for sponsors that included dinner and a silent auction. The pro-am event was Friday at Adena Golf and Country Club in Ocala, and on Saturday the scramble is scheduled for an 8 a.m. shotgun start at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.
While Karen attends games and is often at her husband's press conferences to see if he cracks any funny one-liners, she also has a voice as a co-founder of the website HeartForTheGame.com. The website features blogs told primarily through the view of coaches' wives.
"We started that about 5 years ago,'' Karen said. "We like to share positive information about coaches' wives and their families. It's a spot for them to share the charity work they do and the fun stories."
The wives share stories about their families, food and fashion.
Karen contributes primarily to the food section and has a cookbook in the works. The posts on the website are usually short and breezy, a way for fans to relate to the women behind the men on the sidelines.
"It's just kind of a positive glimpse into the profession that a lot of people ask about when the wives speak,'' Karen said. "We thought it would be great to have a blog that shares stories and recipes and the fashion tips on what to wear on game day."
Perhaps one day she can add a blog about this weekend's golf tournament. Her name is on it, too.
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