NEW YORK -- In 1999, coach Ken Carter did the unthinkable. He chained the doors of the gym at Richmond high school benching his undefeated Varsity basketball team.
In just two years, Carter took this underprivileged school's team from last to first place.
On the brink of winning their first championship in the school's history, Carter announced there would be no more games or practices.
He took these drastic measures because 15 of his 45 players were failing.
In a matter of days, Carter went from community hero to an object of scorn.
"I had a sporting goods store and some barbershops. I lost 50 percent of my business because of my decision. People vandalized my stores to try to force me to change my stand," says Carter, whose actions would eventually become an inspiration for coaches at other impoverished inner-city schools in America.
"My belief has always been there should be as much emphasis on academics as there is on athletics in any school ... and that is, sadly, too often not the case."
To the shock of Richmond High and its community, Carter's basketball players supported his decision. With the intensive help, the 15 students achieved passing grades and the team was able to compete in the finals.
Carter's inspirational story is now a movie starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Coach Carter, which is now playing, was developed and produced by Brian Robbins and David Gale, the team behind such sports films as Varsity Blues, Hard Ball and Radio.
Robbins and Gale asked Carter to make a list of actors he thought could play him.
"There was only one name on my list. I told them, for my money, it was Sam Jackson, or no one. He got his college scholarship for swimming so he understands athletics, knows the value of education and is a great actor."
Jackson, 56, says he "had no idea Ken wanted me to play him. I didn't even get to meet him until after I'd signed onto the project.
"Thinking back on it now, he did seem in awe that I was actually playing him."
Jackson says he was no stranger to Ken Carter's story.
"I followed the story when it was news back in 1999 because it is so similar to my own attitude toward athletic scholarships.
"I think scholarships are a privilege. What too many students on scholarships fail to realize is that other people are paying dearly for the same education."
Jackson says he is appalled at how few recipients of athletic scholarships "take advantage of the educational benefits. They assume they are automatically going to become professional athletes. They're not really preparing themselves for the future.
"We need more people in sports programs like Ken Carter who are committed to the academic and not just athletic abilities of their students."
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