When you think of Duke University, the coach that comes to mind is Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but more than 300 adults and young people at the Norman Murray Community Center were introduced to legendary, Coach Al Buehler through Amy Udell’s, a former student of Buehler’s, documentary “Starting at the Finish Line-The Coach Buehler Story.”
The evening was hosted by Julie Foudy and Brian Goodall, Olympians from Misssion Viejo; Sue Enquist, UCLA Softball coach for 27 years; Rafer Johson, 1960 Olympic winner; Brad Parks, pioneering founder of wheelchair tennis worldwide; Jason Harnett, Mission Viejo Wheel chair coach named, “Paralympic National Coach of the Year for Tennis” and Amy Unell, producer and director of the documentary.
You were expecting to hear a great sports story, but what you heard was a story about humanity-courage, respect, fairness and integrity. Even though Buehler was coaching track and cross country in the South in the 60s he ignored all boundaries of race and gender. He formed a lasting friendship with Le Roy Walker, track coach at NC Central University, an all-black school. Together they impacted the lives of many hardworking young athletes.
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Buehler was a strong advocate against segregation and he promoted women sports at Duke before Title IX. He has received the Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award.
Some of the athletes interviewed in the film are Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, John Carlos, Mary Decker Slaney, Shane Battier and Grant Hill. He enriched the lives of countless students, athletes and thousands more off the track.
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“Why the title, “Starting at the Finish line?” asked an audience member. Coach Buehler always said, “Finish lines are always a place to begin, whether it is when you graduate high school and move on to a new journey or you finish a race and you are preparing for a new race,” explained Udell. Udell is an Emmy nominated producer from the NBC’s “today Show.”
Foudy and friends signed autographs on soccer balls, signed shirts and took numerous photos with the patiently awaiting crowd.
