Ken Carter

Kenny Ray Carter (born February 13, 1959) is an American business owner, education activist and former high school basketball coach. Carter attended college at San Francisco State, then Contra Costa College, and finally George Fox University, where he played basketball.[1] He was portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in the 2005 film Coach Carter.

For the song, see Ken Carter (song). For the stuntman, see Ken Carter (stuntman).

Ken Carter
Carter giving an interview in 2014
Born
Kenny Ray Carter

(1959-02-13) February 13, 1959
Fernwood, Mississippi
Other namesCoach Carter

Biography

Coming from a supportive family, Carter was raised strictly on academics, but found a liking in sports. As a basketball coach, he maintained that his athletes must take their studies seriously, as good academic performance would give them access to college and other opportunities in life.

This belief was put to the test when, as a high school basketball coach at Richmond High School, he locked out his undefeated team for not honoring academic and behavioral contracts.[2] While the community was outraged at first, public opinion eventually changed, and Carter was praised for his determined emphasis on prioritizing good values for his team. His approach also bore results: every one of his players at Richmond, where he coached from 1997 to 2002, graduated.[3] The story of the 1999 season is the basis for the 2005 film Coach Carter, with Carter played by Samuel L. Jackson.

Carter continues to coach sports teams, except basketball. He coached the Slamball team Rumble. He led Rumble to their first Slamball Cup victory in 2001/2002. Carter has said that the greatest moment in his life was when he carried the Olympic Torch for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Carter has a son named Damien (who played for his father at Richmond, and was portrayed by Robert Ri'chard in the movie) and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.

In the fall of 2005, Carter proposed opening a boarding school called the Coach Carter Impact Academy in the town of Marlin, Texas. The school opened in 2009. Allowing around 65 students to board and study at the school, the academy is open to around 150 students in grades 8-12. Known for placing academic achievement as highly as basketball success for his teams, Carter established his Impact Academy in 2009 in the small, rural town of Marlin, Texas. Attempting to build self discipline, the school offers long academic days lasting from 6 am through 6 pm. They require the students to complete their own general tasks, such as laundry and cooking meals. Students also operate a store and barber shop within the grounds of the school.[4]

Slamball coaching record
TeamYearRegular SeasonPost Season
WonLostWin %FinishWonLostResult
Rumble2002 72.7781st20Champions
Rumble2003 91.9001st01Lost in Finals
Rumble2008 93.7501st11Lost in Finals Oilers
Total 256.806-321 Championship

See also

References
  1. ESPN.com: Page 3 – How real is the reel 'Coach Carter?'
  2. "Richmond Rebound / High school basketball players hit books, coach lifts his lockout". SFGate.com. January 12, 1999.
  3. Coach Ken Carter: From Lockout to Open Doors George Fox Journal
  4. https://boardingschools.us/texas/coach-carter-impact-academy/


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