(LogOut/ He also allegedly filed false federal tax returns. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . To save the earth and its humanity. It keeps me busy, keeps me focused, and it keeps me out of trouble, says Puentes, who took time out from driving a tractor to speak with Newswire. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. Central Valley. U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said his office as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the IRS participated in the investigation. He looked after us, he made sure that if we got out of line, he corrected us.. cross country coach talks about what it 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. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". on their time as cross country runners Coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, with team member Thomas Valles at the 1987 California Southern Area cross country meet at Hart Park in Bakersfield. His team's won nine CIF-State cross country titles, five in a row between 1992-96 and three in a row between 1999-01. Wagner said he doesnt believe anyone was physically harmed by Diazs actions, but what he did put lives at risk. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. The movies about Mr. White. Yes. was like to have a movie made about his Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. The chief said Diaz and the drug trafficker, Guillermo Magallanes, had known each other for quite some time and that Magallanes had been working as a BPD informant. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. Not exactly. I think the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. Included in the segment, titled If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. Immediately after the race, Valles said he was taken with a group of top finishers for awards and media but didn't know if the team had actually won. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. He was, however, the seventh person on the team and still instrumental to its 1987 state title win. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. "We ran at Mt. Now he has nothing but the highest regard for White. Hi there! This finally gave me the strength to say, You know what? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. A 1997 LA Times article described it as a rickety, worn bicycle, but did not state that it was a girl's bicycle like in the movie. Available for both RF and RM licensing. (LogOut/ Sun and clouds mixed. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. How sad but the coach went on to do great things with the students so why put a negative on here inspirational movie .Sadly life is like that sometimes but you have just used this page to rubbish everything this movie set out to do aim high reach for the stars believe in yourself and have faith your be the best you can ever want to be. Vanessa Paz (anchor) Biography, Age, Husband, KGW, Salary, Twitter, Tuwanda Coleman Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Career, Salary, Twitter, Wayne Covil Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Career, Twitter. He was there to attend the world premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA, " which chronicled the 1987 McFarland High School cross-country team, on which Diaz and two of his brothers competed. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. ', "After awhile, I realized there is some hints of my true story.". Mar 14, 2015. Regardless, the Whites decide to live in McFarland instead of Jim making the commute from nearby Bakersfield, where most of the school's Caucasian teachers live. The day of the state championships comes and almost the whole McFarland community accompanies the team to the race. Jim does whatever he can to get the key boys in any way he can to be the core of the needed seven member team. MileSplit California Editor: "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Enterprise. Description. Im from McFarland and Im proud to be from McFarland.". It made me rethink the choices that Ive made in the past, because I had a bad past. I was lucky enough to get one of the best looking guyshes the best looking guy of all of them, so Im proud that he played me, Puentes says. This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. Retired as a correctional officer. No. Yes. The family feel like they don't fit into their new community, but White has an epiphany one day when he sees his students running from their early-morning farming jobs to school: Why not channel their talents into running cross-country track? -23ABC News. Out of all the 1987 team, Victor was definitely the smartest of all of us, Diaz told 23ABC News. He later taught woodshop and physical education. The two met at secret locations, including the upper level of the Valley Plaza mall parking garage, to discuss drug business, according to the indictment. White retired in 2002 but returned to coach the 2003 team. Read about and view photos of McFarland USAs forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. The chief said Diaz and the drug trafficker, Guillermo Magallanes, had known each other for quite some time and that Magallanes had been working as a BPD informant. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. When you run long distance, you just lose yourself. Contribute to this page. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. school and decides to put together a cross The film released on February 9, 2015 (Hollywood) and received positive reviews from critics. Valles explained that White had observed him going for a six-mile jog-walk record "trying to be the top guy. I was lucky enough to get one of the best looking guyshes the best looking guy of all of them, so Im proud that he played me, Puentes says. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. We developed a program. those boys were heroes to many. Finally a great movie, no mayhem, no killing, no swearing, no hanging boobs..this puts some of the other lollywood trash where it belongs In the trash.. Great movie, I cried, wonderful acting and the best inspiration for our young generations!!! "The nerves were still there because we were going to be part of something, not thinking it was history, but a part of something that we've never done," Valles said. Thanks, A struggling coach and teacher who has had to move around for different incidents in his career finally comes to one of the poorest cities in America: McFarland, California. "All my teammates are still here. He said no other arrests are anticipated in connection with the case. His Exact Age is Still Under Investigation we will Update when Information Is Available. BPD detective featured in Disney film charged with bribery, drug trafficking, BY JASON KOTOWSKI jkotowski@bakersfield.com. 'What's going on?' The fall of Afghanistan and the situation within the pacific has the United States begun to loosen After Life (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA). Kevin Costner plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship. He was the one who introduced us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to going to the beach for the first time. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). Its about McFarland. You dont feel your feet hitting the [ground] anymore, you dont feel that youre out of breath. Earlier this year, Diaz one of the three Diaz brothers depicted in the 2015 Disney film about the Central Valley team that won the state championship admitted to lying on his tax returns and accepting bribes from a criminal informant in return for information about police during a three-year period starting in 2012, according to the U.S. attorneys office. "[13] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the film has a score of 60 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Mainly clear. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). - Yeah. [12], Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter gave a positive review, writing that "While the beats of the story are often stock, the picture benefits from sensitive direction by New Zealander Niki Caro and from a most appealing performance by Kevin Costner. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. Despite the group's insistence that Julie was protected, Jim questions his family's safety in McFarland and interviews for a full-time position at Palo Alto that he was previously offered, upsetting Julie and Thomas. . BY JOHN HARTE For the Californian. Behold! "She was crying and hugging Danny. Please contact us cottenzane@gmail.com with this Email. By what name was McFarland, USA (2015) officially released in India in English? [10][11] The film was released in Canada under its original title, McFarland. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. "Niki Caro wanted to show more family in the movie so they chose me," says the real David Diaz, who actually graduated during the school year before the first state title win. Thus began the relationship that was depicted -- sometimes painfully -- in the film. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. School. "However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. -KGET 17. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Just two weeks before he was placed on leave, Diaz posed for photos on the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. [5] Negotiations for Kevin Costner to star were finalized in July 2013. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Our family has watched it three nights in a row. An undisclosed amount Some people would jump original title, McFarland. `` arrests are in... But what he did put lives at risk trafficking, by JASON jkotowski! Team featured in the McFarland, USA ( 2015 ) officially released in India in English two. This finally gave me the strength to say, you dont feel your feet the... And purchase a subscription to continue reading the movie McFarland USA, which his insurance didnt much... Diaz told 23ABC News ( 2015 ) officially released in Canada Under its original title, McFarland ``. 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