Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The basketball coach whose controversial leadership of a California high school basketball team earned national attention will keynote the Black History Month observance at Mississippi State.
Ken Carter speaks Feb. 9 in the university's Colvard Union ballroom. His story was the inspiration for a 2005 movie starring Samuel L. Jackson.
The 7 p.m. public program is sponsored by MSU's Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Student Association, Black Student Alliance, and Campus Activities Board.
In 1997, Carter took over a Richmond High School team that was in a downward academic spiral. After establishing high standards, he gained national attention by benching his undefeated, playoff-bound players for their poor classroom performances. He also locked the gymnasium and stopped team-related activities until his charges learned to "rise as a team."
The movie "Coach Carter" describes the drama of his decision and the inspiration it provided for a group that included his own son, Damien. When it opened in early 2005, the production registered more than $24 million in ticket sales, the highest opening weekend of any MTV Films release.
No longer in coaching, Carter is an author and motivational speaker. He also heads the Coach Ken Carter Foundation, which develops educational, training and mentoring programs for minority youth.
Among other honors, Carter has been selected for the Harvard Club's Distinguished Secondary Educator Award, NAACP Impact Citizen of the Year Award, California State Lottery/Governor Gray Davis' Heroes in Education Award, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown's Leadership Award, and California's Unsung Heroes Award.
For more information, telephone the Holmes Center at (662) 325-2033.