WHO: Ken “Coach” Carter
WHAT: Unity Week speaker event
WHEN: 7:30 tonight
WHERE: Pruis Hall
Cost: Free and open to the public
ABOUT THE COACH
From 1997 until 2002, Ken “Coach” Carter served as head coach of the Richmond High School boy’s basketball team in Richmond, Calif.
Samuel L. Jackson portrayed him in the 2005 movie “Coach Carter.” The movie also inspired the book, Jasmine Jones’ “Coach Carter.”
Carter wrote the motivational book “Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success In Life.”
In 1999, Ken “Coach” Carter, head coach at a high school in California, locked out his undefeated basketball team from the gym to enforce his policy: if they didn’t make the grades, they couldn’t play the game. Since then Carter has caught national attention and has been portrayed in film.
At 7:30 tonight in Pruis Hall, Carter will talk as part of Unity Week, which is in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Carter will share his life story and talk about using passion to succeed and change communities.
“We looked at a number of other presentations he had done and felt he would be able to deliver a message about passion, success, education and community engagement, which are things that honor the legacy of Dr. King,” Royer Engle said. “His focus on education is important at an institution where teaching is one of the main areas of study. His role as a basketball coach is very relatable in the state of Indiana, where basketball seems to be a way of life.”
Six years after Carter’s tough-love effort with his team, Carter’s no-nonsense coaching was depicted on the big screen in the 2005 Blockbuster film “Coach Carter.” In the movie, Samuel L. Jackson portrayed Carter and starred alongside Channing Tatum, Ashanti and Octavia Spencer.
Ro-Anne Royer Engle, director of the Multicultural Center, said Carter was selected as this year’s speaker because of how prominent he is and how relevant his message is to students and the community.
His hard-hitting advice also has been captured in his book, “Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success In Life.”
The lecture will close out with a Q-and-A session. Afterward, there will be a reception in the lobby where people will have a chance to meet the coach.
“We hope the audience learns about overcoming obstacles to success, integrity in decision-making, finding and using your passion and the importance of education,” Royer Engle said. “These are all things that are important to Coach Carter and should resonate throughout his message.
“We also hope audience members leave with the feeling they know a little more about the person behind the film ‘Coach Carter’ and what made him such an advocate for education and youth empowerment.”
Coach Carter’s presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Multicultural Center at 765-285-1344.
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