The Red Rubber Ball

As children, people have all had their favorite toys. For Kevin Carroll, that was a red rubber ball. A former trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, Carroll works today as an author and a creative change agent for Nike. Growing up in Philadelphia, raised by his grandparents, Carroll found inspiration in that red rubber ball which led to his future endeavors. He told his story Wednesday night on the to a full audience in Virginia Tech's Graduate Life Center auditorium in honor of National Career Development month.

Carroll refers to himself as a “Katalyst” or an agent for social change. He says he now uses his former toy as a metaphor to inspire people to embrace their spirit of play and imagination to maximize their potential and maintain more meaningful growth, in business and in their personal lives. Carroll now travels the world sharing his story and motivating others.

“The red rubber ball is about sport and play," he said in an interview before his appearance. "It is a metaphor for what inspires me, what inspires others, what is your source of joy, you should be chasing it. Whatever that may be."

During his appearance, he told the audience, “All I really need to know I learned on the playground with the red rubber ball.”

Carroll has been in pursuit of play since a young age. Carroll explained was one of three young boys, abandoned by their father. He said he was the connector in the family, the middle child, keeping the family together in between the many moves they made as children.

He explained that he was taken in by his grandparents and learned the meaning of raising himself and playing. He said he even taught himself a game of chase with a red rubber ball he found. That red rubber ball introduced him to a sense of community, the neighborhood kids, and a new nickname, which stuck with him — “the little fast kid.” The red rubber ball became his passion, his purpose, he said. It gave him something to chase.

He chased the ball to the Air Force, where he served as a language translator and interpreter (Carroll says he is able to speak five languages). He remained in the Air Force for 10 years. He eventually graduated college and went to work as an athletic trainer for the 76’ers.

While on Virginia Tech’s campus, Carroll visited with the athletic department trainers, something he says he does at every campus he visits.

Carroll said that while at the 76’ers, he was contacted by Nike cabout a position. He said that position “evolved organically not by design or planning, Nike didn’t know my role but they knew I could impact and add value to the company. It took two years to understand my impact. Nike gave me a lot of freedom to work through out company and I received directives from the top leadership.”

Carroll said eventually left his position in the NBA to join Nike, which allowed him to be with his family more often.

“I became the mayor of Nike, I was able to help everyone,” he said. Carroll left Nike after eight years to travel the world and teach, using the ball as a catalyst for change.

Carroll said he was able to combine humor and his real life story into aninspiring tale. He spoke of his travels, which allowed him to see “recess across the world.” In some places, he said, the people he met had to create their own red rubber ball. He said he has a collection hundreds of homemade red rubber balls from all Uganda to Brazil.

“Don’t even let anyone take your spirit of play away from you," he told the audience. "It allows you to do more with less.”

Carroll talked of students leaving college and leading with courage to fight those trying to dumb them down and squash their abilities. “Keep your creative muscle strong,” he said.

“Kevin Carroll was inspiring," said junior communications major Rachael Kester after the performance. "He came from nothing. He didn’t have the things we all take for granted like parents and a home. He’s trying to change the world by letting kids play. Teaching kids to be inclusive. He was a great motivational speaker, likes to get the crowd active and engaged.”

Carroll left the audience with his simple truths: “Always keep your eyes open, ready to change your perspective. Recognize your unique light, your critical energy. Work like a champion, work hard. Genius, you have to believe you have genius in you. Time is money; check your 'want-to'. Make sure your handshake is memorable."

"Each one of us has the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life," he said. "The little things can make a big difference. Dream..."