Alumni Spotlight: Carter King ‘16

The Alumni Spotlights are features where alumni are interviewed by student-submitted questions. The questions for this interview were submitted by Gai Kumamoto ’20, Nico Schaefer ’20, and Yannick Gruner ’19 who are current student-athletes at Rabun Gap. Carter King from the class of 2016 was interviewed for this edition of Alumni Spotlight. Carter was a leader and a role model on campus. He excelled on the field and in the classroom. Carter has continued to show leadership at Rhodes College where he competes at the collegiate level for baseball and football.

What do you miss most about Rabun Gap? What I miss most are the people that I became so close with in my seven years at Rabun Gap. Ranging from classmates, teammates, teachers, and coaches, there are many people that I can say had a great impact on my life. The bonds that can be made at Rabun Gap are special. Also, I miss the mountains immensely. Memphis is very flat, and there is nothing like staring out at the surrounding mountains whenever you’re stressed or need a moment to think.

 

How has Rabun Gap impacted your daily life since you’ve graduated? The values and lessons learned throughout your time at Rabun Gap definitely stick with you. Some of these that I notice everyday include time-management, the ability to communicate with professors and coaches, and a mixture of determination and discipline. Time-management is crucial in college because of the increase in the amount of free time you have, so if your goal is to be the best athlete or student you can be, do you choose to play video games for that three-hour period in the middle of the day or do something that will benefit your personal goals? This also ties in with the discipline and determination element. Rabun Gap keeps you on such a regimented schedule that is imperative to learn time-management and the discipline to put it into action. As an athlete, it’s so important that you are able to communicate with your professors about missing class and finding time to talk with them if you’re needing help. College academics move fast and you would rather not have to catch up in the middle of a sports season!

 

What was the hardest transition from Rabun Gap to college? It’s always difficult to leave friends and people around the Rabun Gap community that you consider family, so finding your niche in college can be difficult. Luckily, athletics immediately incorporates you in a group of like-minded people that will become your closest friends. Also, listen to the advice from older teammates and captains who stood where you were as a freshman.

 

What is the bigger focus, sport or education at Rhodes? At a pretty prestigious, liberal arts college, this answer will ALWAYS be education. This will be understood between your teammates, coaches, and certainly the school’s professors. College tuition can be very expensive and it’s paid so that one day you walk out with a degree that has you set up for personal success. The opportunity to play a sport or two is just an added bonus! If you break down the cost of a single class based off tuition, it is not hard to convince yourself to wake up for your 8 a.m.!

 

What is the biggest difference between college and Rabun Gap? I would say one of the primary differences that is noticed right away is that college is a more individual experience where many different paths can be taken to form your identity, but it’s up to you to take the initiative to get involved. At Rabun Gap, there was more of a community aspect that pushed you into different areas of sports, academics, clubs, leadership, etc…

 

Did Rabun Gap prepare you for college? Obviously, every day is a bit different, but most in-season days range from about three to 5 hours of involvement with your team, whether that be weightlifting, practice, meetings, or watching film. During the offseason, I would say that number slims to about an hour to two hours doing something with your team. It is definitely time-consuming, but well worth it when you can see results in your performance, strength, and also in the quality of your friendship with your teammates, who are there by your side during all of the highs and lows.

 

Is it hard to keep up with work and keep good grades during football and baseball season? It certainly can be if you aren’t wise with your time or if your motivation to do well isn’t there. I’ve seen plenty of brilliant students let their grades slip drastically because they decidedly get behind and can’t catch back up, or lack the determination to catch up. This is where those values learned at Rabun Gap come in handy. With some time-management and communication with professors and coaches, I’m able to get the GPA that I want while also being involved in a fraternity and the History National Honor Society. It can be done if you want it!

 

How did you get recruited to compete in college? A lot of recruitment came down to me deciding what type of school I wanted to attend. Once that was decided, it was easy to find showcases or camps that included these types of schools to help your name get out there. It’s also important to get the support and help of your coaches at RG to spread letters of recommendation, transcripts, videos, etc. to college coaches. It also never hurts to send your own personalized emails with video and statistics directly to coaches so that they can have your name and be on the lookout for you upcoming stats or look out for you at these camps or showcases.

 

What is the biggest difference between high school and college football? I think the physicality between the two is definitely the biggest difference. In high school, you can still find many players who dislike being physical. The common denominator in college football is that all of the players have an affinity for hitting and being physical. Much of this is purely a mental aspect that certainly translates into the speed of the game at the college level. In a close second, I’d say the time commitment is much more serious in college.

 

What was the greatest lesson Rabun Gap taught you? Rabun Gap certainly taught me to have an appreciation for the opportunities given to you in life. For example, think about how lucky you are to be on such a beautiful campus, to have such incredible teachers that actually care about you, and the friendships that become so tight being at a school like Rabun Gap.  

What advice do you have for current Rabun Gap students that you wish someone told you during your time at school? I would definitely reiterate the appreciation aspect of going to Rabun Gap. It is an opportunity that most high school students do not receive. I’d also say immerse yourself in the present moment/day. Whether it’s just another monotonous day of practice or homework, enjoy it for what it’s worth. One of the truest statements it seems to me is that “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Enjoy each day at Rabun Gap and give all of your effort into strengthening those relationship bonds and appreciating the day in front of you.

 

Is there anything else you want to add? Enjoy your days in high school because it certainly goes by too fast!