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Titan of a Book Reviewed The Journal written by Deborah Tompkins Johnson Wed, Jan 07, 2004 (reprint from the Journal Press.com) A Titan of a Man By Paula Hines Lonergan Did you see the movie, Remember the Titans? Great movie. Inspiring true story. Now, the daughter of the 1971 T. C. Williams football team's offensive line coach tells the story in greater detail. Entitled, A Titan of a Man, author Paula Hines Lonergan tells the story of how an "ordinary man " can be a part of something larger than himself when he commits to a life of strong character and is able to instill that character and commitment in others. We learn that Paul "Doc" Hines grew up in Norfolk, Virginia playing sports and participating in band and choir. He completed the two-year program at Norfolk State, then transferred to Virginia State College (now university). Having been influenced by his high school coach and physical education teacher, Hines pursued teaching as well and continued to play ball. Lonergan shares that while attending Virginia State, her father was a part of the football team asked to act as bodyguards when civil rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to campus. And his student teaching assignment at Maggie Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia presented him the opportunity to teach famed tennis professional Arthur Ashe. Hines did teach-at Ralph Bunche High School in King George, County, Virginia. In A Titan of a Man we learn "Doc" Hines met his wife, Jacqueline Toliver of King George at Ralph Bunche and led his basketball team to three championships. But he wanted more from athletics. "Doc worked five years at Ralph Bunche High School, then he decided what he really wanted to do was coach football. There just seemed to be no hope for a football team being created at Ralph Bunche since the schools still remained segregated in 1965. He knew he single-handedly overnight couldn't force a change in the system. So in June 1965, he resigned from his teaching position at Ralph Bunche to pursue teaching at a school where he could also coach football." How many of us will give up "a sure thing" to pursue our heart's desire? This is just one of the lessons learned from the life of Paul "Doc" Hines. Hines' move from Ralph Bunche took him to positions in Maryland and then Virginia, ultimately to Alexandria where a series of changes due to desegregation led him to T. C. Williams High School. Lonegran explains a friend of Hines, Herman Boone, had secured a head football coaching position in North Carolina. But the community decided it was not ready for a black head coach and Boone lost the position. But many of us know from the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 50 that what man means for hurt or harm, God can turn to good. So it was that Boone being denied the head coaching position in North Carolina ended up teaming him with "Doc" Hines at T. C. Williams. Boone secured the head coach spot and Hines the offensive coaching position at what became the only high school in the city. Lonergan shares that Boone and Hines, as well as Bill Yoast as defensive coach, with the rest of the coaching staff were able to bring the now racially mixed group of accomplished student athletes together to create an unstoppable winning team. She detailed that getting the team in a neutral environment by taking them to a training session in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, served to begin to solidify the fighting Titans. Who would have thought the story of a 1970's Virginia high school football state championship would become the subject of a screenplay? A screenplay that attracted stars such as Denzel Washington. But of course, it was more than a high school championship. The Titan experience was according to a Hines quote in his daughter's book, learning life's lessons that mattered, for example: "Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger and difficulties with firmness and valor. Determination calls for direction and focus which leads the person down the path of fulfilling a goal . . . That is a truism in football and life." If you want to know more of the background of a humble family who loved life, set goals, persevered, sought advice, prayed and followed through, then read the book A Titan Of A Man by Paula Hines Lonergan. Lonergan also tells how the story became a movie and clarifies some of the movie's dramatization. The book is available from Rev. Joseph & Mrs. Margaret Toliver in King George County or from the author who now resides and works in California. PRL Publishing, 2245 E. Coloardo Boulevard, No. 104 PMB 243; Pasadena, CA 91107. You may send comments to Deborah Tompkins Johnson at judges4@quixnet.net. ·Hines will be at the NAACP celeberation on January 19 where he will sign copies of this book. |
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