Born and raised in East Moline, Ill., Brent Carmichael attended Olney Central College before playing basketball for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers from 1981-83. The father of two boys, Artez, 22, and Jamar, 9, he has lived, worked, coached, mentored and trained students, parents, educators and residents in Rockford, Ill., Denver, Colo., Los Angeles, Calif., Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, Mo.
After his eligibility expired at UNI, he went on to play professionally in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), and in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Guam.
Carmichael developed the We Consciousness, Attitude, Respect and Education (C.A.R.E.) and Late Night Basketball Programs in Rockford. His love for basketball fueled the Quad City Basketball Academy in East Moline. He also incorporated the Youth Opportunity & Understanding program for the summer parks program in his hometown. He has coached basketball and track at the junior high and varsity levels.
Carmichael still owns UNI’srecord in career steals (180) and single-season steals (100). While playing for the Panthers, he was named to the 1983 Mid-Continent Conference second team. Other honors include being named Three Rivers Conference Coach of the Year (2007), coaching the American Youth Basketball Tour (AYBT) National Championship team (2003-05), being inducted into the United Township High School Sports Hall of Fame (2001), and being named to the Quad City Times Newspaper All-Century Top 10 Basketball Team (1987).
Carmichael returned to UNI this academic year to complete his undergraduate degree in General Studies after more than 20 years. He eventually would like to earn another degree in Youth Services Administration. While attending classes, he coaches the ninth grade PeetJunior High boys basketball team, serves as a before and after school child care assistant at the YWCA, and works security during UNI-Dome and McLeod Center events. He also formed 4U Academy two years ago, an advanced basketball coaching and development program that focuses not just on the game, but on life skills, as well.
Why did you choose to return to UNI after all these years?
Because I am a role model for younger players, I felt that my coming back and finishing would be an inspiration to them. I want to start my own non-profit for youth. Most importantly, I promised my mother that I would graduate.
What have you been doing professionally since you left UNI the first time?
I started my professional work experience with the Head Start Early Childhood program in Rockford. From there I worked for the Mayor of Rockford in a drug prevention program. Then I moved to Denver and worked with both the school district and an early childhood program. In 1999, I moved back to my hometown and worked at Glenview Middle School as a behavior disorder teacher’s aide. In 2003, I became the head basketball coach at Riverdale High School in Port Byron, Ill. I coached there five years.
Why did it take you so long to finish your schooling? Why is it important to finish?
The reason it took me so long was stupidity, first. Second, after playing professional basketball in the CBA I obtained guardianship of my son. I raised him for 19 years as a single parent. The reason I feel it is important? My mom would kill me if I didn’t. Second, I made a promise to myself. Third, I wanted to be an inspiration to others. Fourth, I want to eventually coach at the junior college level and I need to have a degree to increase my chances.
What do you like about working with kids?
I got started by volunteering at the local schools in Rockford, talking to kids about sports, education and violence. These are the kids that no one wants to deal with. I am attracted to working with those who do not have role models, motivation and/or support at home. I think some of it is because I didn’t take education seriously when I was in school and I had a hard time as an adult. Kids want someone to care, someone to spend time teaching and learning with them, not teaching and trying to make them learn. I teach life lessons through sports or each individual kid’s interest. I try not to group and label. When we label, we expect that the kid is going to learn the same way as another kid. Each kid is an individual and we should learn to teach him or her individually.
Talk about your family.
I have two sons. I had my first son in 1986. Artez was born with mild mental retardation, mild autism, ADHD. I raised him as a single parent the day after my last professional basketball game. We have lived in Rockford, Denver and East Moline over the past 19 years. Presently, he is living with his mother while I finish school. He is enrolled in the independent living program and should be living, working and supporting himself within the next six months. My second son is Jamar Chandler Carmichael (Wilson), born in 1998. I have not had the opportunity to be in his life, due to my moving from Denver (where he and his mother live) back to Illinois. I am going to Denver over spring break to try and re-connect with him.
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