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Coach Ken Carter      

Coach, Author, Educator & Inspiration for the Film "Coach Carter"

When famed high school basketball coach Ken Carter locked his undefeated, state play-off bound team out of the gym and forced them to hit the books and stop counting on athletic potential as the only ticket out of a tough, inner city life, he sent a powerful message. The film, Coach Carter, based on the lock-out and starring Samuel L. Jackson as the Coach, is just one more testimony to the strength of his convictions. At the podium, Coach Carter scores with hard-hitting advice about accountability, integrity, teamwork, and leadership to succeed both on and off the basketball court.

A successful businessman when he accepted the head basketball coach position at Richmond High School (Richmond, CA) in 1997, Carter had a monumental task at hand. The students were failing academically at an alarming rate, and the athletic programs were in a pathetic state. Within two years, Carter had virtually single-handedly turned around the school, physically cleaning up (trash, graffiti, drug dealers), and also mentally cleaning house as well. A contract which each player and his parents signed spelled out crucial rules of conduct: treat others with respect; shun drugs and alcohol; sit in the front of class and participate; wear suit and tie on game day; and maintain a minimum of a 2.3 GPA. And when not all of the players lived up to these obligations, the play-off bound, undefeated Richmond Oilers (13-0)--including Carter's own son, Damien--were locked out of the gym and pulled from any basketball-related activities to learn how to " rise as a team." Academically solid players tutored weaker ones, and the whole team improved their GPAs. Most importantly, these inner city students ultimately returned not just to the court, but to a new standard of winning, one which transcended the hoop dreams of high school, to college educations and futures they might never have imagined for themselves.

In addition to coaching SlamBall's champion team, The Rumble, Carter is business entrepreneur and is an author. He is also founder and chairman of the Coach Ken Carter Foundation, a non-profit organization which develops, promotes, and provides education, training and mentoring programs for minority youths. He also founded the Coach Carter Impact Academy, designed to enable disadvantaged youth to reach their full academic and life potential. In 2002, he was selected to carry the Olympic torch for the San Francisco Bay Area/Richmond California.

Speech Topics


Yes Ma'am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life

This book chronicles Coach Carter's personal experiences in life that shaped him to be the man that he is today. Additional books written, Success Uncomplicated which is coupled with the "Think & Grow Rich" in 1 book, Listen to the Woman, and a host of other additional success resources he has developed.

What You See is What You Get: How to Visualize and Reach Your Goals

Use Your Passion to Succeed

Five Steps to Career Success

News


Coach Ken Carter Joins OSI - Omaha Sports Insider
Joe Quinn and Nick Handley of Omaha Sports Insider on AM590 ESPN Omaha got the chance to talk with legendary basketball coach Ken Carter. Coach Carter  ...
Ken “Coach” Carter Headlines Omaha Home for Boys' Fundraising ...
Ken “Coach” Carter – immortalized by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Coach Carter – is the keynote speaker for the Omaha Home for Boys' Imagine Our Youth  ...
Coach Carter Interview - The Real Life Coach Carter
The first time producers called Ken Carter, he thought it was a joke and hung up the phone.
Coach Ken Carter to Give Keynote Speech at McGlothlin Awards
His priority was school first, athletics second. On April 19, educator and coach Ken Carter will share his story and philosophy as the featured ...
Coach Ken Carter: From Lockout to Open Doors | George Fox ...
George Fox alum Ken Carter wasn't looking for fame or even attention. He only did what he felt was right. Still, a national spotlight hit Carter in 1999, when, ...

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