Glory Road

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director James Gartner apparently share an appreciation for basketball with student athletes and coaches here at North Lake College.

Texas and sportsthemed movies make a great match. Given the state's enthusiasm for sports and the talent that's cultivated on fields and courts across the Lone Star State, it's difficult to imagine any other setting for such movies.

Glory Road is the latest to feature an old-school tale of Texas ball. The film depicts basketball Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) and his Texas Western Miners. In 1966, Haskins became the first coach in the NCAA to start five black players. The Miners broke down a longstanding barrier and won the title at the same time.

The film takes liberties with the actual story line and is unable to capture the enormity of the athlete 's social struggle. However, Glory Road offers a glimpse into 1960s America and the issues of race-relations that ruled the day and prevented equitable treatment among athletes.

This Disney film is inspirational because it involves a winning team. Collegiate sports organizations have made giant strides to create and maintain racially equitable programs. Many issues remain, but many more have been resolved. Glory Road will serve as a point of reference for those who watch it.

"It's sobering to see how much things have changed," said Basketball Coach Tim McGraw of North Lake College, "I hope the movie provides a deep appreciation for the courage of previous generations."

It's easy to forget that today's success is predicated on yesterday 's efforts and struggles. When a winning team makes an impact on the court - whether it's the 1966 Miners or the 2006 Blazers - it's because individual players contract with each other and decide to act in concert, as a team. With coaches and fans to guide and support them, a united team is unstoppable.

"It's about who can go out there and play the hardest. They're not going to give us anything, so you've got to take it," said the subject of Glory Road, Coach Don Haskins of the Texas Western Miners.

It's a sentimental story that will please audiences. Glory Road shows us an era we should not forget. It is in theaters now.