From Gerstell Academy to college – how Alum Anthony Carpenter ’19 has made the most of his opportunities.

Anthony Carpenter ’19 left the halls of Gerstell Academy in 2019 to take on the challenges of being a collegiate athlete at HBCU Bowie State University.  Anthony was (at the time) all-time career leading scorer for the Gerstell Falcons basketball team, was an All-Metro selection,  and played on two MIAA B Conference Championship teams. During his collegiate career, Anthony was the first freshman in the program history to start, served as team captain and named All-CIAA tournament player in 2022.  Following his college career as a player, Anthony is now the Assistant Coach for the Bowie State Bulldogs.   We are very proud of Anthony’s continued leadership and look forward to seeing where his coaching career takes him. 

Anthony said, “As I reflect on my basketball journey, I think about all the good times at Gerstell and the relationships that were formed with teammates and faculty. After my senior year was over, it was rewarding, announcing that Bowie State University was interested in me joining their team, and finding out where other fellow athletes would go to further their education and play the sport they love. Bowie was my next destination. After realizing my dream to play professionally overseas would not come to fruition, I lost a piece of me but unknowingly, God gave me that piece back by giving me joy and happiness through coaching, which I never knew I needed. My passion switched to teaching and mentoring young men to reach their full potential both on and off the court. In my first year as a coach we accomplished great things, we turned the program around and had more wins than we had in the last 3 to 4 years. We defeated two Division I teams and made it to the quarterfinals of the CIAA tournament. I learned a lot as a first-year coach, my thirst for knowledge runs deep, and I feel my potential to coach is limitless. I see the game from the lens of a player, I coach the game from my experience as a leader, team captain and floor general on the court, coupled with my basketball acumen as a student of the game. My new journey has begun, and I have Gerstell Academy and Bowie State to thank for a strong foundation.”

Read more about Anthony’s transition to coaching HERE.