The Retort

Coach Carter Speaks

February 2nd, 2012 by Arthur Cherry Of The Retort Staff

With a nearly packed theater of over 400 students, staff, and faculty, Coach Ken Carter took to the audience with a vibrant and energetic intensity. Speaking from the aisles, shaking hands as he walked, interacting with the audience, and quick with his humor, Carter roared through the theater room with his words of experience and encouragement that stretched from his success from the basketball court to his own personal struggles.

“You gotta smile in life. You gotta have personality. Keep your head up… You gotta get up and get ready to lift up your life!”

Carter, most known for his actions at Richmond High School in California, led the boys basketball team from a defeated season to a legendary powerhouse force. Most noteworthy was his controversial actions of locking the gym doors and benching players until they improved their grades- an act that implemented his belief in teamwork, integrity, and accountability. In 2005, the movie Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, was released. According to Carter, who was present on set during filming, the movie and its portrayal of the 1999 events were “98 percent accurate.” Prior to the lecture at MSUB, a viewing of Coach Carter film was presented.

“Knowledge is not power,” Carter said. “The use of knowledge is power.”

”Student athletes were also present to the lecture. Sophomore Corie Smith, a student studying elementary education, special education and a forward for the women’s basketball team, was impressed by Carter’s appearance.

“I thought he was very good. He was very motivating…very funny.”

One of her favorite quotes from Carter was: “You can’t play defense (in life) all the time. You have to play some offense.”

Before concluding his lecture with a Q&A session, Carter emphasized his point on personal goals.

“If you write things down, you are 10 times more likely to do it.”

The presentation was an installment for “The Power of One: The Legacy of MLK at MSUB” week, celebrating the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that began January 16. The week long program will conclude on January 21, with a community service project from 9:30am to noon, meeting at the Student Union Building.