Central Michigan University Athletics
Joe Carr Profile
12/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2003
By Fred Stabley Jr.
Sports Information Director
You'd better think of something original if you're going to try and distract Central Michigan University's diminutive guard Joe Carr.
"I've played all around the country and I've heard them all," said the 5-6, 165-pound sophomore from Detroit Renaissance High. "They've called me 'Webster' and 'Mugsy,' but nothing really bothers me.
"I never noticed much that I was short until I came to college and everyone I play against is a giant."
The fans at Notre Dame earlier this month were on Carr every time he was on the floor but he had the last laugh when he buried a three-pointer before the buzzer for a 69-68 upset of the then No. 23-ranked Irish.
"That was a big win for Central Michigan and the Mid-American Conference," Carr said. "I really didn't get a chance to wave to the crowd or anything because my teammates mobbed me. That was enough."
If you thought that game was a career-best moment for the sports management major - you'd be wrong.
"That was pretty big but nothing like playing in the NCAA tournament a year ago," Carr said. "That was definitely a great feeling."
Carr learned a great deal from that season, mostly from the seniors on what it takes to be successful.
"The seniors on that team were very special," Carr said. "I saw the commitment needed to play the college level. They had been through so much in their careers with many ups and downs.
"They shared their wisdom, feelings and aspirations."
Carr was a multi-talented athlete growing up, excelling at football, baseball, track and tennis as well basketball.
"My family feels that tennis might have been my best sport," Carr said. "I played it when I was in Philadelphia all summer with my father. I started out as a novice and won the intermediate championship at the end of the summer."
Carr played one year of baseball and football in high school. He also loved boxing and used to spar at Detroit boxing centers whenever he got a chance.
Joe realized he needed to concentrate on one, though.
"Football was fun and I did get hit very hard," Carr chuckled. "But, basketball was one of the first sports I got into, so it wasn't that tough a decision."
His high school coach and sports hero, Mark White, also played a big role in it, too. "He's meant so much to me and was the real reason I stayed with basketball," he said.
Nicknamed "Lil' One," Carr has one major objective at CMU - getting his degree.
"My mother (Tonji Adams) just got her college degree and my grandfather (Richard Adams) also got his," Carr said. "I want to go back to Detroit and be an athletic director at a high school."
