For Immediate Release: Thursday, 21 August 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director (956) 381-2240

J.C. CARTER NAMED MEN'S BASKETBALL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

EDINBURG, TX-J.C. Carter spent his fifth year in college finishing his athletic career while beginning a new career in coaching. He will move into the NCAA Division I ranks when he joins The University of Texas-Pan American's men's basketball team as an administrative assistant, effective immediately. Carter replaces Rob McIlhaney, who resigned to become an assistant coach at Midwestern State University.

A native of Joplin, MO, Carter played football and basketball at West Side High School in El Dorado, Arkansas, earning All-Conference honors as both a point guard and a shooting guard. He also was named his team's Most Valuable Player and Offensive MVP, and played in the Southern Arkansas All-Star Game. Carter played quarterback for the football team.

Beginning his collegiate career at Stephen F. Austin State University, Carter played two years for the Lumberjacks before transferring to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri for his final two seasons. He helped lead the Bearcats to the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association playoffs as a junior, and received the Senior Leadership Award in his fourth and final year.

Returning for a final semester, Carter joined the Bearcat football team, playing strong safety and seeing his first varsity action since his high school days. He then began his coaching career, serving as an assistant coach at Bolivar High School, and earning a B.S. in Physical Education in July.

One of Carter's brothers played football at Southwest Baptist and is now in the Air Force. His brother-in-law, Jason Porter, played basketball for Texas-Pan American head coach Bob Hoffman at Oklahoma Baptist, and is now the Head Athletic Trainer at Liberty University.

"I knew that Coach Hoffman was very successful as a coach, and that he is also a man of great integrity," said Carter. "It's great to work for someone who is successful as a coach and is also successful outside the lines. That's very important, and is something that I want to mirror down the road. I want to get into college coaching, and my ultimate desire is to be a head coach, and I consider myself fortunate to be able to start out at the Division I level."

"J.C. is a very sharp, intelligent young man," said Hoffman. "He is going to be a tremendous coach, and we're blessed to have him as a part of our program."

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