Coinciding with the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on November 22nd, a unique event has been planned ahead of the biggest day on the collegiate running calendar. 

On Thursday, November 20th, a special advanced viewing of the new Disney film “McFarland, USA” will be shown to the athletes and coaches that have qualified for the NCAA Championships. The film’s official release date is set for February 20th, 2015. 

The movie stars Kevin Costner as Jim White, a cross country coach at a predominantly Hispanic high school in California that led his teams to nine state titles during the 1990s. Based on the 1997 article in the Los Angeles Times, the film details White’s arrival in McFarland, and how his team of migrant worker’s sons bonded together to accomplish more than anyone thought possible. 

The event will take place at the historic Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute, and will be kicked off by running legend Jim Ryun, who will give a quick 20 minute talk to the student athletes in attendance.

The man that inspired the film, Jim White, will also make an appearance, and according to Jeff Martin at Indiana State, “Kevin Costner could be coming to Terre Haute. There is a very good chance that will happen and Disney is doing everything they can to make it happen.” 

Is there a better place than Cross Country Town, USA on NCAA weekend for Costner to bring Hollywood to Terre Haute?