If only more student athletes could have the good fortune of playing for a

coach like Ken Carter of the Bay Area’s Richmond High School. The fact that

few do is borne out by college graduation statistics and the many stories

of those who dropped through society’s cracks into poverty and obscurity

once their athletic talent was lost through age or Injury.

Graduation rates for collegiate athletes playing men’s basketball, for

example, are abysmally low among all races. Some universities failed to

produce any male graduates in the sport in the school years 1988-1989

through 1991-92. Women players, with fewer prospects for professional

riches, graduate in much greater numbers.

What’s needed are more coaches like Carter, who during the week of January

the 3rd benched every player on his undefeated 13-0 boy’s basketball team

and did so despite the fact that all were eligible to play under state

grade point average requirements.

Carter didn’t stop there. He padlocked the gym and moved the benches to the

school library. Why? His players were showing up late for classes, ducking

homework and earning less than the 2.3 grade average that Carter demands of

his players. Since last week practice hours at Richmond High have been

spent cracking books with tutors and volunteers. What a loud and righteous

message to send.

Maybe it was a gimmick, something to shake up the Richmond High Players.

Sure enough, on Monday Carter announced that his team will return to the

court for a game Tuesday January 12th. So what. It wasn’t Carter who made

this story so sadly remarkable but rather his coaching colleagues around

the country who focus on win-loss records and little else.

– L.A. Times Editorial Jan. 11, 1999