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Remember the Titans’ Coach Herman Boone Featured Day of Caring Speaker
BRIDGEPORT, CT - (October 5, 2006) United Way of Eastern Fairfield County is pleased to feature Coach Herman Boone as the keynote speaker for its November 1, 2006 Day of Caring. Coach Boone’s remarkable story was recounted in the Disney film, Remember the Titans starring Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington. Because of his exemplary reputation in working with young people, Boone is the perfect choice for this Day of Caring event, which will introduce 15 ways that participants can positively impact the life of a child
In 1971, Boone faced the challenge of a lifetime. Three Alexandria, VA schools integrated to form T.C. Williams High School. Former rivals on the football field were now expected to work together in peace and harmony. Instead, the newly established Titan football team was rife with racial tensions and turf wars, which resulted in a divisive, contentious team and community. When Boone, assistant coach of the former T.C. Williams High School, was named head coach of the Titans, tensions escalated. Supporters of Bill Yoast, the local favorite and successful head coach of the former white Hammond High, were angered by Boone’s appointment, which was seen as a gesture of goodwill to the black community.
Remarkably, the two coaches were able to put aside their prejudices, and in doing so they unified their players to form a team whose common vision was to respect each other and win football games. The Titans became one of the best teams in Virginia, compiling a 13-0 record and going on to win the state championship. At the same time, through the game of football, Boone and Yoast were able to help their small Virginian community put aside their intolerance and join together to support their children.
For the 15 th anniversary of its annual Day of Caring, United Way is mobilizing the greater Bridgeport community to support its children. To mark this milestone, United Way will not engage in planting, painting and other traditional Day of Caring activities but will focus on its Operation Graduation initiative -- continuing the collective journey to help close the achievement gap for students in the greater Bridgeport region. The event will be held from 9:00 A.M. – noon at the University of Bridgeport’s Bernhard Center. You may register at www.thewaytocare.org.
United Way of Eastern Fairfield County’s mission is to mobilize a stronger, more caring community across Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. Our focus is on what matters. We are bringing people together from all across the community – people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens – to tackle the issues that matter most. United Way is committed to the bottom line results: the lives we change and the communities we shape. Find out more at www.thewaytocare.org.
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