(BOP) - Overcoming significant challenges, FMC Carswell Teacher Abar Rouse uses his life story and basketball coaching experience to lead by example. Rouse followed his dreams to a coaching career when tragedy struck. His career ended because he chose to stick to his ethics rather than lie. Rouse does not look back and is content with the decisions he made.
After working his way up the college basketball coaching ranks, Rouse was named an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Baylor University, in 2003. Soon after Rouse's arrival, a player was murdered by his teammate, and the ensuing investigation led to a massive cover-up of NCAA violations. Rouse was asked to go along with plans to fabricate a story for investigators. Choosing not to lie, and in fear of losing his job, Rouse taped the conversations and turned them over to the NCAA. He was not penalized for being involved; but three months after Rouse had started, he found himself out of a job, and ultimately out of college basketball.
In 2009, Rouse was hired as a Correctional Officer at FCI Oakdale. Almost a year later, Rouse transferred to FMC Carswell as a Recreation Specialist. During the next three years he pursued his certification to become a teacher and in 2013 he was selected as a teacher at FMC Carswell.
Describing working for the Bureau -- in the units, during recreation or in the classroom -- as similar to coaching, Rouse uses the skills he developed from years of coaching to guide others. In addition to being a teacher, he also provides staff a greater understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion as a Diversity Management Instructor and he is an active member of the Affirmative Employment Program Committee serving as a Recruiter to enhance the diversity of the workforce. Following the advice of mentors he has had in his career, Rouse offers, "Volunteer for everything, but most importantly, be true to yourself."
A documentary on Rouse's experience in the NCAA will air on Showtime beginning March 31, 2017.