'Remember the Titans' coaches to speak at MLK Day event

Herman Boone and Bill Yoast, the inspiration behind the 2000 movie "Remember the Titans," were more than coaches, said Dr. Loretta Prater, a Southeast Missouri State University dean.

When they speak at Southeast's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner on Jan. 23, they will talk about being relationship builders as well, said Prater, co-chairwoman of the event.

"On the university campus, we have people coming from all types of backgrounds, geographic areas of the country and belief systems. It's really a big area for diversity, but we still have a lot of common ground," she said, noting that the university still has strides to make to increase diversity.

Boone and Yoast set aside racial differences in 1971 in Alexandria, Va., as three schools were integrated. Hostility initially emerged when Boone, the assistant coach of the former black T.C. Williams High School, was selected as head coach over Yoast, the head coach of the former white Hammond High.

"Remember the Titans" tells how the coaches managed to see beyond color and unify the team.

The movie will be shown Jan. 22, and the coaches, in addition to Southeast coaches, will hold an open forum to answer questions beforehand.

At the dinner, while discussing leadership development and coming together for a common good, the coaches will also discuss Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

"The event is in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. I definitely see a connection there when you talk about building relationships among all people," Prater said.

The MLK Celebration has attracted some big names in the past. In 2006, Martin Luther King III, a human rights advocate and son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was the speaker.

Prater said the university used to have a breakfast celebration during King's birthday weekend, but the event was pushed back and made a dinner to accommodate students who travel over the holiday weekend.

The dinner this year will be a buffet catered by Chartwells, Prater said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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