Coach Carter #7

 A few weeks back on the bus ride up to the State Championships our team decided to watch a movie. After a heated debate of what was to be put on from Batman to the Miracle on Ice it was finally agreed upon that we would watch Coach Carter and what a great decision it was.

For those who do not know already, Coach Carter is a movie based on the true story of Ken Carter, an unorthodox basketball coach at Richmond High School. Carter is astounded by the lack of discipline and utter ignorance of the players to their school work and academic learning. Because the area around Richmond High is one of the poorest and most minority heavy areas in the state, many of the players feel as though there is no hope for them, that no matter what they do they are doomed to be failures both on and off the court. It doesn't take long for Carter to whip them up into a dangerous team to face on the court, but success in the classroom and outside of school was still very scarce.

Carter goes to extremes by locking the team out of the gym and forfeiting their biggest match just so he may teach these kids a lesson, that if they apply themselves and seriously put in the effort they can accomplish something meaningful. It takes a lot of work, almost getting fired, and board meeting filled with furious parents but he finally gets through to the kids and convinces them of what can become of them.

Why I am saying all of this is not to give you a plot summary of what I consider to be one of the greatest inspiration sports movies of all times (although I would highly recommend watching it if you have not already), but rather to reveal the fact that just because one is brought up in a bad area, a slum, a ghetto, whatever it may be doesn't mean there's no hope for them. Carter showed that with enough dedication anyone can accomplish their dreams. Prior to Carter only 1 player on the team even considered college, his son. After the season was through 6 of his graduating players went off to pursue higher education.

Coach Ken Carter should truly serve as an inspiration for all to get involved and help out those who need it. Sometimes all it takes is a little motivation, a helping hand to make a difference not only in the life of an individual but across an entire community of people as well.