Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
The Highland High School rugby team has a record that other teams around the country envy. The success story of the team's coach and his players is now the focus of a new feature film called "Forever Strong."
It's not simply a sports film. The success of the real team has more to do with shaping young men to become responsible citizens that it does about winning, and that's the message of the movie.
In the world of high school rugby, the Highland High School team is legendary with 390 wins and nine losses. Now the players' rules and motto come to life on the big screen.
Head Coach Larry Gelwix said, "I'm so excited at the prospect of a story, not about me, but about the 2,000-plus young men that have played on the Highland rugby team in the last 33 years that I've coached there. It's a great story. It's a true story."
Having the actual coach on the set as an advisor was very appealing to actor Gary Cole, who plays Coach Gelwix.
"It's not necessarily that this team, year after year, had the best rugby players ever. Something psychological was taking place on the field and off the field. I think that centered on Larry and his staff," Cole said.
Past film successes brought enough money to hire recognizable stars. The filmmakers believe these actors will appeal to audiences nationwide.
Director Ryan Little said, "It is great to have the opportunity to work with people that we've admired like Gary, Neal McDonough and Sean Astin. (They are) people that perhaps when you're doing tiny films, it wouldn't have been an option."
Producer Adam Abel said, "Obviously our past successes have allowed us to build on and leverage into other greater things. The cast of ‘Forever Strong' is fantastic."
"Forever Strong" has premiered in New York City, Los Angeles and last night in Utah. It opens today in theaters throughout the state and the country.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
