Social activist, teacher and retired football coach Herman Boone will discuss diversity, the movie “Remember the Titans,” as well as building and sustaining winning teams at 7 tonight in the K-State Student Union.
Boone will deliver his lecture, “Lessons of Diversity,” in the Union Ballroom as part of K-State’s celebration of Black History Month. Overflow seating will be available if there are extra viewers, said Krystal Boyles, senior in life sciences.
“We are hoping for between 800 to 1000 people, and in addition to the Ballroom we have Forum Hall reserved,” Boyles said.
Boone is best known from the movie “Remember the Titans,” in which he was portrayed by Denzel Washington. In the film, Boone was a symbol of social transformation.
In 1971, the city of Alexandria, Va., decided to integrate its school system and appointed Boone as head football coach over a legendary white coach with several years’ seniority and a steadfast citywide following.
He said he was honored to have been selected, but extremely apprehensive about the challenges that lay ahead, according to a release from the K-State Panhallenic Council.
Remarkably, Boone was able to solidify a diverse coaching staff and an unfocused group of young boys into one of the most powerful football teams in the state of Virginia.
In December 1971, president Richard Nixon was quoted as saying, “the team saved the city of Alexandria.”
“I think that it will be very beneficial to K-State students because the topic is something that we’ve seen in the media, and now we’re able to bring it to K-State,” Boyles said. “It will also be good to see it not only from the media side, but also from his side and see the challenges that he’s faced and overcome in his life.”
Anthony Carter, organizer of the event and vice president of the Interfraternity Council, said coach Boone is a very appropriate speaker to have at K-State and will speak about issues relevant to all students on campus.
The lecture is sponsored by the K-State Greek Community in conjunction with the Student Governing Association. There is no charge for the event, and it is open to the public. Boyles said the event will take place regardless of the weather conditions.
“If the weather is bad we’ll just go ahead and have it,” Boyles said. “We hope people will still come anyway.”