CHESTERTOWN, MD—Herman Boone, former head football coach at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., and the inspiration behind the 2000 blockbuster movie Remember the Titans, will speak at Washington College on Wednesday, April 6. His talk, “Remember the Titans: A Lesson in Multiculturalism,” will begin at 5 p.m. in Russell Gymnasium, Cain Athletic Center, 300 Washington Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.
Boone will provide the real-life story of his integrated T.C. Williams team and its efforts to overcome prejudice and racial tension and become champions.
Herman Boone began his career as a teacher and coach in 1958, leading football teams in Blackstone, Va., and Williamstown, N.C., to championship seasons. In 1971, after school officials in Alexandria merged three segregated high schools into one integrated one named T.C. Williams, they invited Boone to be head coach of their new football team. Boone’s approach to coaching not only produced a winning football team, but also tackled new challenges of integration, building positive race relations within the student body and the community.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Titans’ Virginia AAA State Championship game victory. Now retired from coaching, Boone frequently shares his story nationwide as a public speaker. His appearance at Washington College is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Athletics, Student Development Programs, and Student Activities.
