How accurate is the movie McFarland?
What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. Hollywood’s fictional fingers are all over how the story is framed but in the big picture, the film captures the essence of the main characters and the story quite well on the big screen.
What happened to the McFarland cross country team?
Dozens of Coach Jim White’s runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today.
Is McFarland USA based on a true story?
The film is based on the true story of a small Central California high school coach that took an unlikely group of immigrant students and transformed them into a distance-running dynasty, culminating with their team win in the 1987 CIF Cross Country Championships. (The story was initially published in the LA Times.)
Why does coach White get fired from his old job and find employment at McFarland?
In 1987, football coach Jim White loses his job after he loses his temper and accidentally injures a team player in the locker room. He and his family relocate for his new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino.
Who is Jim White’s daughter?
James White is married to Cheryl White and has three daughters: Julie, Jami, and Tami.
Is coach White still alive McFarland?
White, 73, who retired from coaching McFarland High’s cross-country team a decade ago but still shows up for practices, scratches his tanned jaw, glances over at the team’s current coach, then shrugs his shoulders. “Down the road a ways,” he says.
Does McFarland High have a cross-country team?
Before 1987, there had been a cross-country team at McFarland High, but it was not outstanding, and in 1986, cross-country track wasn’t even offered at the school. Coach White restarted the cross-country team in 1987 and rebuilt it from the ground up.
Is ‘McFarland USA’ a true story?
Kevin Costner (left) and the real Jim White (right) stand outside McFarland High School in McFarland, California. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White interview.
What are some of the best cross-country track and field stories?
The story of the McFarland cross-country track teams has inspired some excellent journalism. Here are two examples of the best. Running For Their Lives: The story that inspired ‘McFarland, USA’ by Gary Smith, 2/16/15, Sports Illustrated Magazine.
How many times did McFarland High School win the CIF State Championships?
The McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row.