Jim White's coaching legacy continues to inspire in "McFarland, USA"

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

The 80 cross country runners competing Saturday in the Foot Locker National Championships, along with coaches, parents and other fans of the sport had an opportunity Friday to watch an advanced screening of the Disney film "McFarland, USA" at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15 Theaters in San Diego.

An added bonus for those in attendance was the appearance of legendary McFarland coach Jim White, who is played by Kevin Costner in the film, scheduled for nationwide release Feb. 20.

White, who guided McFarland to nine California boys state cross country championships from 1987-2001 in addition to 15 Central Section crowns and 22 league titles in a 24-year span, viewed the film for the third time and participated in a brief Q & A session with emcee Tim O'Rourke, one of the announcers for Saturday's meet at nearby Balboa Park.

Although White began coach the McFarland program officially in 1980, the film centers around the 1987 team that won the inaugural Division III boys state championship.

"It's really fantastic that these high school guys responded the way they did," White said. "Two, three weeks ago we showed it to college-aged kids at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., and they cheered (runner Danny Diaz). They cheered in the movie. They really caught onto it ... it's inspirational. I've won every time I've watched this movie."

White is scheduled to do a press tour in early next month in Burbank, with an appearance at another screening Jan. 9 in Hollywood.

He is still trying to help finalize plans for a February release in or near McFarland, but thinks that inclement weather could force the screening to be shown in Bakersfield, which is approximately 20 miles south of the agricultural town that boasts a population of 13,000.

"We're still pushing to have it probably in Bakersfield. We don't have anything but a funeral home in McFarland. It used to be a movie house, then it went to a mortuary and then one of my runners lived in the place," White said. "We have a brand new football stadium and all-weather track and I suggested to have it outside because you could fit 1,200 to 1,400 people in the stands, but it's the foggy season and everything else, so it will probably be in Bakersfield. We don't know a date, but they're still wanting to do it."

White, who taught in the McFarland district for 40 years, recently returned to the program as a volunteer coach the past two seasons, but has decided to live with his wife Cheryl in nearby Posey -- a mountain town northeast of Bakersfield -- while he continues to support the team as a fan in the coming years.
The McFarland program is now run by former student-athletes who White taught or coached at various levels throughout his career, which started with a 15-year stint at McFarland Junior High before moving to the high school and coaching until he retired in 2004.

His former runners have gone on to serve in the U.S. Army, be teachers or work in law enforcement in McFarland after graduating college.

"That's more important than winning all the state championships actually. We've preached giving back something to the community and going on and getting your education," White said. "I think (the film) captures the hardship the boys come through working in the fields because that's very true to life. They had to work out in the fields early, early morning and then run in the afternoon in the same fields."

Those fields still feature current McFarland runners and their peers working early in the morning before attending school, but the town has received a facelift in recent years with a new city logo.

In addition, there is a painted water tank that includes silhouettes of runners and includes a list of all of McFarland's state championship teams. There will be a new bridge built in the city next year that also offers tribute to the cross country program's storied tradition.

"That was the only goal that we had. Our goal was to qualify for state and to do well at state. We won nine state championships ... but we also have more top-five finishes than anybody in the state also," White said. "It has changed our town. You saw in the very beginning (of the movie) a sign welcoming you to 'McFarland: Heartbeat of Agriculture.' It now shows a runner running through the fields with 'Tradition, Unity and Excellence' underneath it."