Photo Gallery | 'Undefeated' coach talks about former players, non-profit organization
An inspirational Oscar-winning story about a Mid-South football team gave the world a glimpse into a special journey taken by some Memphis students and their volunteer football coach.
"Undefeated" is a documentary that follows the Manassas High School football team whose fortunes changed thanks to Bill Courtney. Click here for full video interview.
Action News 5's Kontji Anthony talked to Courtney and Hopeworks executive director Ron Wade about a new journey of hope. It's a fundraiser for HopeWorks.
The name of the event is called "A Morning of Hope with Bill Courtney." It will be hosted at Woodland Hills in early March.
HopeWorks is a non-profit that helps the chronically unemployed.
"We try to give them hope, and give them a job," said Wade.
Wade said Courtney was the perfect speaker for the fundraiser because of his past experience being a volunteer coach.
"Bill is right here, he's local. He deals with a lot of men that sometimes don't make it through high school, or to college," said Wade.
HopeWorks can help people who dropped out of high school gain a GED.
"I fell in love with the fact that the folks at whatever age in their life... That have done wrong in the past, want to do right," said Courtney.
Courtney told Kontji in the interview that many of the football players he coached have moved onto college.
Now, he is working on a book and speaks all over the country. However, he said his family and lumber business is who he is, and his number one priority. See the full interview in this video.
HopeWorks event details:
- A Morning of Hope with Bill Courtney of "Undefeated"
- March 2, 2013
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Woodland Hills Event Center.
- Whyhopeworks.com
- 901- 272-3700, ext. 107
