For Release
Sept. 24, 2002

Inspiration for "Remember the Titans" coming to The Citadel

          Herman Boone, the inspiration for Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington's character in the movie "Remember the Titans" will visit The Citadel on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002.

          Boone will discuss his experience as the first black football coach of the T.C. Williams High Titans, an integrated football team in Alexandria, Va. in 1971. The lecture, which is sponsored by The Citadel Department of Multicultural Student Services, begins at 6:30 p.m. in Mark Clark Hall Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.

          A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., Boone, now 67, became a teacher and coach so he could motivate youngsters. In 1958 he accepted his first teaching position at L.H. Foster High School in Blackstone, Va., where he coached football, basketball and baseball. His teams garnered very impressive stats with 26 wins, six losses and three district championships.

          In 1961, Boone returned to his home state to coach and teach at E.J. Hayes High School in Williamston. His football teams amassed an astonishing 99 wins with only eight losses in nine years. Scholastic Coach Magazine recognized his 1996 team as "the number one football team in America." Boone has been selected Coach of the Year six times and is the author of many articles for several national magazines.

          In 1969, he accepted a job as assistant coach at T.C. Williams High in Alexandria, Va.. Two years later the City of Alexandria decided to integrate its school system, consolidating three schools into one. They appointed Boone as the first head coach over a legendary white coach with several years' s eniority.

          "Remember the Titans" portrays Boone's efforts to overcome racial strife in the community and among his coaches and players as he produced a No. 2 nationally ranked football team.

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