Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

12/7/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Fame has not changed Herman Boone. The former Virginia high school football coach who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film "Remember the Titans" spoke to students Wednesday at Northwestern State University. His appearance was sponsored by NSU's Student Government Association and Student Activities Board.

"I know some of you came because you heard Denzel Washington was speaking tonight," joked Boone to an appreciate crowd of about 300 students in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.

Boone said the popular film and subsequent attention has not changed him.

"I live in the same home with the same wife and same phone number," said Boone, who will celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife Carolyn next july. "We are low-maintenance people."

Boone became head football coach at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. in 1971, the year three schools were integrated to form the new school. He was named to the job over Bill Yoast, the successful former coach of white Hammond High, a move which angered Yoast's supporters. Boone and Yoast managed to put aside their differences and unify the team which finished 13-0 and captured the state championship.

According to Boone, he did not want the head coaching job. He inherited a staff that wanted to work for Yoast and he had no margin for failure. Boone said he would have been fired if he would have lost one game that season.

"If we would have lost one game, my whole philosophy would have been lost and would have given them the ammunition they needed," said Boone.

Boone retired in 1989. He occasionally goes back to T.C. Williams as a substitute teacher to maintain contact with students. He lectures around the country focusing on respect, teamwork, community involvement and the importance of character. The lesson that came from his state championship team and the movie transcends sports.

"It shows how people can overcome fear of diversity and come together as a society," Boone said. "Never allow racism to make you a racist. Never allow hate to make you a hater."

Boone told the students the movie was very close to what actually happened except for a couple of scenes that were "Hollywood-ized."

"They took some liberties, but Denzel stood up for me," said Boone.

Boone said the scene that took place in a Gettysburg, Pa. cemetery took place in the evening not at 3 a.m. He stooped there to talk to the team only because he was tired after running eight miles and wanted to rest.

The movie portrayed Boone as a tough taskmaster, but he emphasized his deep love for his players.

"I would dress them up one side and down another, but they would never leave without a hug," said Boone. "I have a false tooth because one time I tried to hug a player and he lowered his helmet and hit me in the mouth. The team was crawling around looking for my tooth and one of them said 'We better find his tooth before he knocks all ours out.'''

Boone does not attend games at T.C. Williams any more because he cannot enjoy the games as a fan. Several years ago he was at a game and reacted to a play and a local newspaper reported his remark implying criticism of the coach.

Earlier this week, Boone attended a 30-year reunion at the school and saw a number of former players. The members of the 1971 championship team are remembered on a web site www.71originaltitans.com.

"They are some of the most brilliant people," said Boone. "A total of 79 of 89 went to college and graduated and became caring, prosperous citizens of the community. They were determined to win together and brought a city together."

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