It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s Karagianis

By Harika Rao ’11 ’15
Friday, April 19, 2013

While Chris Karagianis ’06 wasn’t born on the planet Krypton, he has some things in common with the man of steel and his alter ego, Clark Kent.

Just as Clark Kent sat at his desk at the Daily Planet creating newspaper stories, Chris helped create the website www.youniversitytv.com for parents and students looking for information about colleges.

The website has nearly 3,000 short, college and career related videos highlighting academics, the campus experience and environment. “These days it costs a fortune for a family to send their kids to college campuses to see what they have to offer. We are able to provide that experience through our informational videos,” said Chris. Check out Lynn University's video.

Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Chris was passionate about soccer since childhood and had a Bright Futures Scholarship in the soccer club. His family moved to Florida in 2000.  “It was a big move for me and my family, especially leaving grandparents who were a big part of my life.”

Chris started playing soccer at Lynn and credits his coach, the late Shaun Pendleton, for being his biggest inspiration. “Because of him, I learned to be a better person and an adult. From the time he recruited me to the time he awarded me MVP as a freshman, it was an amazing time for me.”  

Chris played professional soccer for Crewe Alexandra Football Club in England, but after an unfortunate foot injury, he had to give it up.

Taking this injury in stride, he started obstacle racing. “I had to pick myself up and do something to make me happy again. I started doing cross fit to get back into shape and was interested in some obstacle races I had seen in Ft. Lauderdale.”

Enter Superman. While he may not be able to leap buildings in a single bound—yet—Chris shows his Superman side through Team Extreme All Terrain Athletes. He participates in more than 30 obstacle races nationwide, where he carries 60-pound concrete bags up and down a mountain, chops wood, rolls down a three-quarter-mile track with various obstructions while having to sit up and correctly answer a SAT-style question afterward are some of the “chores” that break up his competitive runs. Tough Mudder races and Savage Races are mere notches on his belt.

Chris received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration at Lynn University.