"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, it is that we are powerful beyond measure" - Cruz
Success vs. Failure
To begin with, Coach Carter had a set of goals that he wanted to accomplish with the young athletes on the Richmond High School Basketball team. Of which his goals were to help train the basketball team players into champions, make them respect their community, their opponents, their teammates, their coaches (himself included), and themselves. More importantly, he wanted to bring discipline in the athletes and show them the value of their education. Achieving these goals were incredibly difficult, Coach Carter had to work hard, and overcome many challenges. Along the course of the season, there were many failures, but more successes.
When Ken Carter started off as a coach at Richmond High, there were many failures that occurred towards his goal to begin with. The very first day he got terrible cooperation from the team members about the contract. One of the team members, Cruz, even tried to punch him in the face, but Coach Carter was ready for it and wasn't afraid to get physical to show that he is the coach and they need to listen to him. For that being, Cruz left the gym along with some other players. Other downsides to Coach Carter's goals were that the players who left, got involved in gang related issues. The players who remained in the gym failed to cooperate with one another, were undisciplined, and had bad fitness levels. All of which contributed negatively towards his goals. Although as the season progressed there were successes, the team trained harder, worked more like a team, and won their first game. This brought a positive climate within the team, and worked towards collaboration and acceptance of Coach Carter. It also brought Cruz back into the gym to ask for forgiveness. All was going well into accomplishing Coach Carter's goal of becoming champions and being respectful, as they won 16 games straight, and won an invitational tournament, while attending all practices. Although, the players were failing to attend their classes and keep up their grades, which was directly violating their contract and their future. For the success of the team and their futures, Coach Carter cancelled all the upcoming games and locked the gym. He wanted his athletes to perform well academically before they get time in the gym to practice or play games. He fought for their better future against the school board and community. Unfortunately, he failed to have their agreement but soon did he notice that his words and message got through to the athletes even though it did not get through to the school board. His biggest success of all was to inspire his athletes to be the best they could possibly be, in the classroom, on the court, and everywhere else.
When Ken Carter started off as a coach at Richmond High, there were many failures that occurred towards his goal to begin with. The very first day he got terrible cooperation from the team members about the contract. One of the team members, Cruz, even tried to punch him in the face, but Coach Carter was ready for it and wasn't afraid to get physical to show that he is the coach and they need to listen to him. For that being, Cruz left the gym along with some other players. Other downsides to Coach Carter's goals were that the players who left, got involved in gang related issues. The players who remained in the gym failed to cooperate with one another, were undisciplined, and had bad fitness levels. All of which contributed negatively towards his goals. Although as the season progressed there were successes, the team trained harder, worked more like a team, and won their first game. This brought a positive climate within the team, and worked towards collaboration and acceptance of Coach Carter. It also brought Cruz back into the gym to ask for forgiveness. All was going well into accomplishing Coach Carter's goal of becoming champions and being respectful, as they won 16 games straight, and won an invitational tournament, while attending all practices. Although, the players were failing to attend their classes and keep up their grades, which was directly violating their contract and their future. For the success of the team and their futures, Coach Carter cancelled all the upcoming games and locked the gym. He wanted his athletes to perform well academically before they get time in the gym to practice or play games. He fought for their better future against the school board and community. Unfortunately, he failed to have their agreement but soon did he notice that his words and message got through to the athletes even though it did not get through to the school board. His biggest success of all was to inspire his athletes to be the best they could possibly be, in the classroom, on the court, and everywhere else.
This video above shows Carter's inspiration on the athletes of the basketball team at Richmond High.