Northwestern University Athletics
Big Heart, Big Voice, Big Dreams
9/16/2015 11:00:00 AM | Football, General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
By Emily Parchman, Northwestern Correspondent
Redshirt junior Austin Carr came to Evanston in 2012 from the Bay area, and with that, a wide range of influences.
He grew up in a musical family and was encouraged to participate in fine arts as well as athletics. In sixth grade his parents divorced, but Carr took this low moment and believes he came out stronger in the end thanks to his artistic and athletic abilities and supportive family.
An athletic coach himself, Austin's father always reminded him, "I don't want you playing for me… I will support you no matter how you play." Carr never felt a push from his father or family, but felt they all uplifted and supported his passions.
Carr explains, "I don't know how one gets through life without music. Playing an instrument or music allows a great relief of stress; I can come home from the stresses and demands of my sport and find peace in playing the piano or listening to music."
Though he has great passion for music, Carr is able to use sports as a mental and emotional advantage as well.
"Sports allow me to get out all of my pent up energy. You discover great things about yourself through competition."
WATCH: Austin Carr scores his first-career touchdown against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 12, 2015.
Carr prides himself in his ability to make connections with others and uses that gift to fuel his passions for himself and those around him. He creates a communal feeling in each of his fields through continuing to strengthen, compete, beat and improve both himself and his teammates.
Being of mixed race, he felt he was able to experience the abundant diversity of his community in a unique way- one with a mutual connection to both those under the pressures and stresses of the disadvantaged as well as those of the privileged.
Along with his faith, Carr's family and environment opened his eyes to the needs of others
"This might sound strange; maybe I've had a life changing class or experience, but I've really felt some life changing connections with people - all types of people," said Carr. "The truly meaningful connections have given me perspective."
Combine Carr's drive and desire to help others, his unique perspective of the world and his unmatched communication skills, and you are left with someone ready to make a change in the nonprofit world.
The wide receiver's greatest struggle, however, was figuring out a way to combine all of these qualities.
This past year, Carr was chosen as one of five winners of the Irving Kabiller Memorial Award for Excellence in Character, Commitment, and Community. As an award winner, he received a $5,000 grant to be used for her own professional development.
With this incredible opportunity, Carr's dreams suddenly became a reality.
With the grant, Carr traveled to New York City to attend two conferences: the Affiliate Summit conference and the DMA Non-Profit Federation (DMANF) conference. The two events allowed him to see the different angles of the non-profit industry. The Affiliate Summit swayed on the business side and Carr was able to hear first hand accounts from entrepreneurs, and shake hands with his future colleagues and connections.
"I was one of the only undergrads," said Carr. "It was incredible to be able to hear their experiences straight from them. Through meeting and talking with people you get to hear real stories from people who are involved with amazing businesses. Those are things a classroom can't teach you."
Where as the Affiliate Summit showed Carr the business side, DMANF showcased the heart of non-profits.
Along with the stories, Carr got to learn tactics and techniques for non-profit business from the best in their respective fields. Among those speakers were representatives from the American Cancer Foundation.
Carr experienced through the various presentations how they used different demographics to achieve different goals.
He was most inspired by two men from Food for the Poor and thier session on the sales of a non-profit.
"That is something right up my alley," Carr said. "I'm interested in sales and nonprofits and the session was basically about my strength. They spoke on the continuing evolution of sales, especially in the nonprofit sector. It was a session that really brought together my interests and skills."
The speakers from Food for the Poor not only gave Carr a business perspective on an industry that he is so passionate about, but touched his heart in a personal way through their work in the community and simple actions.
With the help of NU for Life, Carr is now intertwined in a growing, talented and exclusive network that he is passionate and proud to be a part of. This unique experience has "assured [Carr] that his passions of sales and non profits can exist together."
•••••
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Redshirt junior Austin Carr came to Evanston in 2012 from the Bay area, and with that, a wide range of influences.
He grew up in a musical family and was encouraged to participate in fine arts as well as athletics. In sixth grade his parents divorced, but Carr took this low moment and believes he came out stronger in the end thanks to his artistic and athletic abilities and supportive family.
An athletic coach himself, Austin's father always reminded him, "I don't want you playing for me… I will support you no matter how you play." Carr never felt a push from his father or family, but felt they all uplifted and supported his passions.
Carr explains, "I don't know how one gets through life without music. Playing an instrument or music allows a great relief of stress; I can come home from the stresses and demands of my sport and find peace in playing the piano or listening to music."
Though he has great passion for music, Carr is able to use sports as a mental and emotional advantage as well.
"Sports allow me to get out all of my pent up energy. You discover great things about yourself through competition."
WATCH: Austin Carr scores his first-career touchdown against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 12, 2015.
Carr prides himself in his ability to make connections with others and uses that gift to fuel his passions for himself and those around him. He creates a communal feeling in each of his fields through continuing to strengthen, compete, beat and improve both himself and his teammates.
Being of mixed race, he felt he was able to experience the abundant diversity of his community in a unique way- one with a mutual connection to both those under the pressures and stresses of the disadvantaged as well as those of the privileged.
Along with his faith, Carr's family and environment opened his eyes to the needs of others
"This might sound strange; maybe I've had a life changing class or experience, but I've really felt some life changing connections with people - all types of people," said Carr. "The truly meaningful connections have given me perspective."
Combine Carr's drive and desire to help others, his unique perspective of the world and his unmatched communication skills, and you are left with someone ready to make a change in the nonprofit world.
The wide receiver's greatest struggle, however, was figuring out a way to combine all of these qualities.
This past year, Carr was chosen as one of five winners of the Irving Kabiller Memorial Award for Excellence in Character, Commitment, and Community. As an award winner, he received a $5,000 grant to be used for her own professional development.
With this incredible opportunity, Carr's dreams suddenly became a reality.
With the grant, Carr traveled to New York City to attend two conferences: the Affiliate Summit conference and the DMA Non-Profit Federation (DMANF) conference. The two events allowed him to see the different angles of the non-profit industry. The Affiliate Summit swayed on the business side and Carr was able to hear first hand accounts from entrepreneurs, and shake hands with his future colleagues and connections.
"I was one of the only undergrads," said Carr. "It was incredible to be able to hear their experiences straight from them. Through meeting and talking with people you get to hear real stories from people who are involved with amazing businesses. Those are things a classroom can't teach you."
Where as the Affiliate Summit showed Carr the business side, DMANF showcased the heart of non-profits.
Along with the stories, Carr got to learn tactics and techniques for non-profit business from the best in their respective fields. Among those speakers were representatives from the American Cancer Foundation.
Carr experienced through the various presentations how they used different demographics to achieve different goals.
He was most inspired by two men from Food for the Poor and thier session on the sales of a non-profit.
"That is something right up my alley," Carr said. "I'm interested in sales and nonprofits and the session was basically about my strength. They spoke on the continuing evolution of sales, especially in the nonprofit sector. It was a session that really brought together my interests and skills."
The speakers from Food for the Poor not only gave Carr a business perspective on an industry that he is so passionate about, but touched his heart in a personal way through their work in the community and simple actions.
With the help of NU for Life, Carr is now intertwined in a growing, talented and exclusive network that he is passionate and proud to be a part of. This unique experience has "assured [Carr] that his passions of sales and non profits can exist together."
•••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
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