The pursuit of the American Dream as seen in sports

The pursuit of the American Dream as seen in sports

By: Nicholas Cole and Matty Stanisci

Comparison of Coaching Methods

Racial Adversity In Both Films

Both coaches believed in changing the system and unlike most sports coaches, down played sports as inferior to character.

In both films, the team consists mostly of minorities. There are several instances in each film when this presents a challenge.

Principal: "...that for some of these kids, this basketball season will be the highlight of their lives."

Carter: "Well I think that's the problem, don't you?"

Both Coaches make the players hate them so they will unite and work harder against a common obstacle.

In Gridiron gang, one example is the Mustang's rival team, the Barrington Panthers. This is a Catholic, upper- class school, and is mainly made up of Caucasian students. In fact, there does not appear to be any minorities on the entire team. This along with several racist remarks made by one of the players, symbolizes the uphill battle the team must face to accomplish their goal. They originally fold under this pressure and adversity, losing the first game of the season, 38-0. However, they eventually prove themselves by beating this same team later in the season, pushing them into the playoffs.

Coach Porter makes Willie Weathers knock him down to see what he is capable of. This inspires the rest of the team.

Both coaches received heavy criticism from their supervisors because of their unorthodox methods, but eventually receive praise when they succeed.

In Coach Carter, many people undermine the academic talent of the students of Richmond High School, including the teaching staff and the principal herself. To a degree, some of these accusations could be tied to racism and the economic status of the students, which is extremely unjust. The faculty claim that even if the students try to pass, they will not be able to and that they should focus on the basketball season because it is the best thing that will ever happen to them. However, Coach Carter tells his players that they will succeed academically or else he won't play them. This seems to work as they improve academically and athletically.

Principal: "You're job, Mr. Carter, is to teach these boys basketball and I suggest you start doing your job."

Carter: Your job is to educate these students. I suggest you start doing yours"

Sean Porter

Sean Porter was very assertive in his views much like Ken Carter.

Ken Carter

When his methods are questioned, he says, "Let's try the impossible, because the possible just ain't working."

Instantly notices lack of discipline, sportsmanship, and direction.

Coach carter's sole motivation is to teach important life lessons to the team, stress the importance of their education, and to break the system.

He is willing to put his reputation on the line to better the lives of these young kids, even though many of them are seen as unworthy of his respect and attention. His players eventually realize his sacrifice and that aids in their development of respect and unity.

Coach Carter's strategy for leading is different than Coach Porter's in that he distributes a physical copy of contracts, which state that their grade point averages must be at least 2.3, they must attend all their classes and sit in the front row of those classes, and they must wear ties on game day.

Coach Porter does not give his team contracts. However, he does give them the "Mustang Challenge," which states that if they play hard and accept the terms and conditions of the team, they will succeed.

Following the distribution of the contracts, he tells his players, "[y]ou will have my respect until you lose it." He also calls them sirs. This along with the contract itself demonstrates his respect for them as he places them on a level playing field and treats them as responsible adults.

Some may see this promise as empty because they ultimately lost the final championship game. However, they played like champions and now had the champion mentality combined with self-respect and unity learned by their interactions and persistence from their rigorous PE.

Coach Carter explains the significance of the contract when testifying to the school board with his claim. "You really need to consider the message you are sending these boys by ending the lockout. It is the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law. If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they are out breaking the law."

Thesis

Achieving the American Dream does not always mean attaining success in one's temporary goal. As long as you give one hundred percent and you learn from your experiences, you are ultimately successful. Both movies highlight the importance of character growth and its superiority over the numbers on a scoreboard.

In both Coach Carter and Gridiron Gang, each team consists of troubled youths who have been given up on. Both teams are led by very experienced coaches. They are initially taught the significance of unity, discipline, and self-respect. Coach Carter and Coach Porter do this to portray the importance of these life lessons as they attempt to transform them into responsible, contributing members of society. Even though both teams lose the championship at the end of the film, the players learn many positive attributes along the way and this eventually transforms their character and teaches them to be disciplined adults.

Coach Carter: "I came to coach basketball players, and you became students. i came to teach boys and you became men."

Breaking the Cycle

The American Dream

Post-Season

It is in the two films that we see the two teams lose the final game, however, as Carter states, "they have gained that ever elusive victory within and that most people spend their whole lives trying to find." The poverty cycle is very difficult to break. However, jus because you are in the cycle does not mean you have to lead an unfulfilling life. A much higher percentage of the players on each team went on to live lives that didn't end up in jail or death.

The American Dream does not have to be to get rich and famous, but to not just fall into the norm of what society expects from them. Some members of both teams did end up in prison after the events of the film,but it was a lot lower percentage than it was before.

After the Mustang's season ends, most of the players go on to live full and happy lives with their families. They seek education, continue sports, and find full time jobs. Some return to prison and others die on the street, but it is nonetheless an enormous improvement.

-Willie Weathers is playing football for a top boarding school,

-Kelvin Owens is playing football for Washington High,

-Kenny Bates is going to school in Redondo Beach and is living with his mother

-Junior Palaita got a job working for furniture company.

-Only five are back in jail and one has been killed.

After the Oilers lose to St. Francis in the championship game, it is revealed that all the players of the team went on to pursue higher levels of education and had happy, successful lives.

- Junior Battle went to San Jose State University on a full scholarship

-Jason Lyle went to San Diego State University

-Timo Cruz attended Humboldt State University where he became the starting guard

-Jaron "Worm" Willis received a scholarship to San Francisco State University where he played point guard for four years.

-Kenyon Stone attended Sacramento State University and received a degree in Communications. -Damien Carter went on to break the Richmond High School scoring and assist records previously held by his father. Upon graduation, he attends the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.