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Destiny is defined as a predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control.
For Ebonie Floyd, her destiny was to be a track star.
Her father was an All-America at UH and the 1982 NCAA 100-meter champion. He was a member of the 1980 Olympic team that didn’t compete in Moscow. Ebonie’s mother was a nine-time national champion at University of Tennessee and placed fifth in the 800 meters at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
“I thought it was normal to get picked up from daycare and go to the track
with your parents. They instilled in me discipline and a strong work ethic…not only in track but in life,” says Floyd. “They would always tell me—you’re only going to get what you put in.”
She also grew up watching the likes of Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell practice. So, when it was time to pick a sport and a school, the choice was natural. I didn’t feel any pressure from my parents,” she says. “I knew track was something that I wanted to do. I didn’t come to Houston to continue a family tradition. I just felt comfortable with everything
at UH.”
Floyd started her career with a bang, earning the 2003 Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors and winning the 200 and 400 meters at the indoor C-USA Championships. She also set school records in both events during the outdoor season and made the semifinals of the NCAA Championships.
Her world changed in 2004. She missed her sophomore season after a car accident took the life of one of her sisters.
Due to a fractured foot from the accident, Floyd received a medical red-shirt from the NCAA. Then her planned comeback in 2005 was derailed after she learned she was pregnant.
“My teammates and coaches could have easily abandoned me,” Floyd says. “It was touching to have them reach out to me even more. Even though I wasn’t competing, I still felt like I was a part of the team.”
After giving birth to her son in 2004, she was even more determined to get into the best shape of her life. “I always look at things in a positive light,” she says. “My son and my husband are my first priorities. Everything else comes in second. It’s hard to remain balanced, but staying focused is the key.”
Floyd’s determination turned into reality during the 2006 indoor campaign when she claimed the 200-meter C-USA Championship. She also ran the anchor leg of the indoor 4x400-meter relay with a time that finished eighth at the NCAA Championships en route to a school record. This season, she claimed her third indoor 200-meter crown at the C-USA Championships and finished sixth at the NCAA meet in March. She is looking forward to another strong outdoor season.
“It’s important for me to go out on top and set some records,” Floyd says. “I want to be remembered as a great athlete, but even more, I want to be remembered as a great person and teammate. Records are meant to be broken.”
The Houston native, who will graduate with a degree in psychology this year, is ready to pass the baton to her sister, Kalyn, who will enter UH this fall as a freshman.
As for the future, that’s still up in the air.
“I may get involved with coaching and teaching,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate to have people touch my life, and I want to give that gift back to someone else.”
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