“McFarland, USA” Coach to Speak on Campus

Jim White, whose story inspired the movie “McFarland, USA,” starring Kevin Costner, will discuss his life, the movie and the importance of attitude, at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium..

This free event is co-sponsored by the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, the Multicultural Affairs Center and Ekklesia. No tickets are required for this event.

Known affectionately by the locals as “Blanco,” White is considered a legend in McFarland, Calif. During his 20 years as the cross-country coach, he not only won an unprecedented nine state championships, but he managed to transform his community by training the young men on his team, mainly children of poor immigrant field workers, to run fast, work hard and dream of bigger things than picking almonds and avocados. Thanks to White, dozens of his runners have ended up going to college or into the armed forces.

Following his presentation, the School of Social and Cultural Studies, in conjunction with the Communication Department and the Athletics Department, will sponsor a free screening of “McFarland, USA” in Baldwin Hall Auditorium.