Staff Book and Media Recommendations

Denise Lozeau is a Library Specialist II at the University of Central Oklahoma.

We Are Marshall

This 2006 movie is based on actual events. In November, 1970, virtually the entire football team and coaches of Marshall University (Huntington, W.V.) die in a plane crash. That spring, led by Nate Ruffin, a player who was ill and missed the fatal flight, students rally to convince the board of governors to play the 1971 season. The college president, Don Dedman, must find a coach, who then must find players. They petition the NCAA to allow freshmen to play, and coach Jack Lengyel motivates and leads young players at the same time that he reexamines the Lombardi creed that winning is the only thing. Can Marshall win even one game in 1971? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758794/

We Are Marshall is a great movie to watch even if you're not a big football fan to begin with - no football savvy is needed because the story is really about surviving and moving on in the face of tragedy and adversity. The strength and tenacity of the coaches and the new fledgling team members is inspiring to watch. Additional features on the DVD present footage and pictures of the actual teams, coaches and community which really brings the story to life.

Reviewed November 2010