For the William Tennent football team, last Saturday was a night to remember.
The Panthers welcomed players from the 1971 Titans football team from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., the team that inspired the 2000 film, “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington, who played coach Herman Boone.
Quarterback Derick “Sugarbabe” Hopson, offensive tackle Kerry Lundin, offensive guard Mike Lynch, center Bob Luckett and cheerleader Nancy Musser Cody were on hand to share their story of integration.
“It may not be the same as it was in 1971, but the same issues still exist,” Tennent football coach Rich Clemens said. “We have kids on the team from all backgrounds so we felt this is something that can’t be ignored. We can learn from the past and I want the kids to make these connections.
“Plus, this is the ’71 Titans. When we had the chance to have them here, how could we not jump at it?”
The players enjoyed the experience.
“I met all the players and I had a great conversation with all of them,” said senior quarterback Zach Stanfield. “They taught me a lot of lessons about how discrimination has changed and that there are still issues today. Of course, we talked a little football, too.”
Junior Jack Booz missed out on a Maryland vacation to be at the event.
“Being here was totally worth it,” said Booz, an offensive tackle. “I really like the movie. I’ve seen it a lot of times.
“We talked about a lot of things, but I think the thing that sticks with me is that they told me that they had so much energy on the sidelines that the other team would look across the field and know that they lost before the game even started, so I think we need to bring up our energy.
“We all have to work together as a team, no matter who we are as individuals.”
For freshman Michael Lubrant, it was the first team event he participated in.
“It’s been great,” said Lubrant, a quarterback. “This was a great way for me to meet some of the players on the team. Also, I really enjoyed talking to the Titans. I talked to Sugarbabe and the biggest thing I took away he told me to work harder and be really motivated.
“The movie was really good and I think it’s inspiring.”
The Titans had as much fun interacting with the players.
“Since the movie has come out, we’ve done a significant number of these events,” Luckett said. “It never gets old because we’re giving back to communities to help them raise funds.
“For us, it’s about giving back and hopefully people see us and listen to our story about us all coming from different backgrounds and the genuine love and caring we still all have for each other. Hopefully they can take something away from that and use it in a positive fashion in their lives.”
“We had lunch with the team today. We talked to them and they asked questions. When we work with kids, we deal with them the same way we were as a ballclub. Before lunch, we gathered together and held hands as a group, because we are a group of one, and we gave thanks, and that’s how we did it 50 years ago. We continue to walk the walk and talk the talk that we did 50 years ago.
“With as much division in our country today, I think people can learn from us. (Sugarbabe) and I have been friends since sixth grade. We carried on foolishness then, and we carry on foolishness now. We’re really friends, people see that we’re really friends, and that’s impactful. If even one person walks away with that positive, then we’ve met our mission.”
The event was a fundraiser for the Tennent Football Boosters, and was organized by Holly Wadleigh, booster president, and Jennifer Schultz, booster fundraising director.
“Holly and I have been planning it for four months so it’s great to see it come together,” Schultz said. “The whole thing came from a friendship. Bob (Luckett) is friends with my father-in-law, Lou Schultz, and he found out we were trying to raise funds for the team.
“We had already been thinking about showing the movie so it was perfect. At first, I didn’t believe they’d come but here they are. We had a lunch for the team and the Titans and they came in all excited, and that got the kids all excited. It’s been a great experience for the kids.”
Added Wadleigh, “Jen told me about this opportunity and it just snowballed from there. It’s been a very, very fun ride. We were happy to get this experience to the kids.”
In addition to meeting the Titans, guests could visit a museum of Titans memorabilia, both from the film and the team before viewing the film in the auditorium with the Titans.
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