Q & A with Robert Carr

Robert ended his sophomore campaign with a first team All-Ivy selection after leading the League in rushing with 1,083 yards. The only sophomore to be named first-team, he added 10 touchdowns and became the first Bulldog ever to rush for 200 yards in back-to-back contests.

Tell us a little bit about your background, where you are from, what your major is and how you came to the Ivy League.

My full name is Robert Desmond Carr. I was born, raised and continue to reside in Baytown, Texas, which is about 30 minutes southeast of Houston. Right now, I really do not know exactly what I want to major in, but I would like to look into investment banking for a job after I graduate. I came to the Ivy League because of Coach Shawn Halloran, which was my football recruiting coach. Coach Shawn came to visit me in Baytown, and he described all the positives that both an Ivy League education and Ivy League sports have to offer. I came to visit, and I liked the coaches and the people here at Yale so I decided to attend the university.

Was there a time when you thought, "Hey, I could go to an Ivy League school" or was that always in your mind?

At first, I never thought of going to an Ivy League school. Even though I did well enough in high school to at least apply, the thought never crossed my mind until I began to receive letters from the Yale football team. When I began to go through the application process, the idea of going to an Ivy League school began to set in.

What perceptions did you have about the Ivy League when you first arrived?

Before I arrived, I thought it would be nothing but arrogant and conceited people.

How have those perceptions met with reality?

Once I arrived, I saw that the stereotype was wrong. Most of the people here are good people and are not much different from myself.

What about going to an Ivy League school most appealed to you?

Truthfully, I was just looking forward to playing football in the Ivy League, but then I realized how many doors are open to a person with an Ivy League education.

As an African-American, what experiences have stood out to you about adjusting to college in the Ivy League?

I have had to adjust first of all to being far from home. Also, there are not many African Americans here, but this was not a problem for me. I can get along with anyone regardless of color. I haven't experienced any direct racism or discrimination, and hopefully my college experience can continue in this manner.

Since you've been in college, what have been some of the most memorable moments for you as an athlete and a student?

In football, my most memorable moment was scoring a touchdown in my first Yale-Harvard football game. It was amazing and the energy in the stadium was unbelievable. Academically, my most rewarding moment was making two A's in my first semester.

What historical figure do you admire most and why?

I most admire Martin Luther King because continued to fight for what he believed in against all odds. It takes an amazing person to stare death in the face and still continue fighting for what is right. Also, he kept God first in everything that he did. I am a religious person as well, and I admire the devotion Martin Luther King had.

Who had the biggest influence on you as you grew up? Why?

My dad and my grandfather had the biggest influence on my as I grew up. They both taught me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. My grandfather taught me many things in my life, but he died five years ago. He may have left me physically, but his spirit continues to live in me. Now my dad continues to be the person that I can call on whenever I need to talk about anything. The stereotype of black men is that we are lazy and we are not part of the lives of our young black children. My grandfather and dad disproved this stereotype because they are both hard workers and they have touched the lives of many young black men. People often tell me that I am like my dad and my grandfather and that is the ultimate compliment.

In an age of ultra-glorification of athletes and sports, what would be the best advice you could give to a middle schooler about the value of education, and the best role for sports in their education?

Education is the most important thing because without education, you cannot play sports. I have encountered many amazing athletes that could not continue in sports because they could not make the grade. Also, use sports as a means to an end. Use sports to help you get to a wonderful university in which you can play sports and receive an outstanding education.

What would be the best advice you could give to a young African-American who has aspirations to attend an Ivy institution?

You can do whatever you put your mind to. Never stop pursuing your dreams.

***Please note, this story was written for a previous Ivy League Black History Month celebration. It is reproduced here for archival purposes and has not been updated.***