Dan Royal

Dan Royal - Area Representative

Contact Information:
239.322.8621
droyal@fca.org

While working as Director of Education at the Art of Olympians Museum in Fort Myers, Florida, Dan Royal met men's bobsled head coach Brian Shimer, who invited Royal to attend a mini combine event. After less than four months of training, Royal was named to the USA National Bobsled team.

Royal, who earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Florida State University in 2004, was a standout on the Seminoles track and field squad. As a senior, he was All-ACC in discus and was ranked top-eight or better in the ACC in five events. In 2002 and 2003, he was an NCAA East Region qualifier in the discus, as well as a top-level ACC multi-event competitor with top-eight finishes in two or more events at each ACC Championship. In 2003, he was ranked in three statistical categories in the ACC, the most of any other Florida State athlete. He also played football for FSU in 2002.

Royal received his Master’s in Religion from Liberty University in 2006 and competed on the Flames track & field squad in his final year of collegiate eligibility in 2005. In that season, he broke numerous school and conference records, including those for the indoor shot put, weight throw, and outdoor discus. He also set conference records in the indoor shot put and weight throw, the outdoor discus, and the shot put. Royal’s season at Liberty was also highlighted with a qualifying mark for both the weight throw and shot put at the 2005 NCAA Indoor National Championship and for the discus, hammer, and shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Regional Championships.

After his collegiate career, he began pursuing a professional track & field contract and competing for the Liberty Elite Track and Field Club where he served as the Chaplain. Royal qualified for USA Track & Field for three consecutive years and ranked 20th in the world in 2007 for weight throw (indoor hammer). In 2006, Royal placed eighth at the USA Track & Field Visa Indoor Championships. From 2006-2008, Royal also served on the track coaching staff at the University of Richmond while working for FCA full time in Richmond.

He also continued to compete in other sports such as Strong Man and the Scottish Highland Games. He missed qualifying for the USA Championships in World’s Strongest Man by one spot in his first competition in 2005. He also placed fifth overall at the 2006 Highland Games Amateur World Championship, where he won the open stone throw and set the Highland Games Amateur World Championship Record of 52'11". The following year, Royal finished sixth overall. That same year, he registered a stone throw of 58’6,” the furthest throw recorded in ten years. Royal led the world in the stone throw in every year that he competed in the Highland Games.

In total, Royal has broken more than 75 records, including school, conference, championship, and world championship records, mostly in track and in the Highland Games.

Random Fact: I love the Lord and am trying to use the blessings He has given to me to serve Him.

Favorite:

  • Book: Bible, The Historical Jesus, The Case for Christ
  • Food: Watermelon, grilled food
  • Snack Food: Grape Laffy Taffy, Hot Tamale
  • Movie: Rocky movies, too many others to mention, but mostly comedies & all super hero movies
  • TV Show: Sitcoms
  • Musical Artists: No one really, Jimmy Buffet maybe
  • Actor: Arnold, John Candy
  • Time of Day: Late evening
  • Season: Late fall in SWFL, just before it gets really cold
  • Place in the World: Caribbean
  • Place to Pray: Home
  • Recreational Activities/Hobbies: Sports, college football games
  • Scripture: John 10:10, Romans 12:1-2, Great Commission
  • Sports Team: FSU
  • Sport: Football, basketball, baseball, track

Least Favorite:

  • Food: Beets
  • Snack Food: Cake
  • Time of Day: Heat of the day
  • Season: Hottest parts of summer and coldest of winter
  • Place in the World: Cold places

Life Motto: Bring it!

Three People I'd Like to Meet: Jesus, Sampson, David

My Hero: Paul

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: My first FCA camp

Best thing about FCA: Hands on activities at the schools with teams or huddles

Why I’m involved in FCA: I believe it’s the best way to reach people with the Gospel, whether they are coaches, teachers, parents, or athletes

My Experience/Role as an Area Representative: Focus on the ministry in Lee County

Best Spiritual Advice I’ve heard/read: Don’t have the mindset that "It can’t happen to me."

Jesus is awesome because... He saved me and uses me even though I don’t deserve it.

Competition Tip: If you compete for you, you do it for yourself and your need to fulfill insecurities. If you compete for God, you do your best and let Him take care of the rest. It matters how you compete; not the outcome.