Starting at the Finish Line: The Coach Buehler Story — Rough Cut Screening

Coach Al Buehler, who most students know as the namesake of the trail around the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, will soon have his story told to the world.  Buehler, a track coach at Duke for 45 years, who coached six teams to ACC championships, stars in Starting at the Finish Line: The Coach Buehler Story, a documentary about the life of the sports legend.

On September 24^th, as a part of the homecoming weekend festivities, the film was shown at a private rough cut screening in Griffith Theater.  The night began with an invitation-only soiree at Duke Athletic Director Kevin White’s house. Hundreds of people, from filmmakers to athletes to administrators showed up to the event.  More powerful, however, were the throngs of Coach Buehler’s track athletes that had come back to Duke from all over the county.  “I’ve been looking forward to this for months and months and months,” said Jon Krassny, Trinity ‘74, adding that he “wouldn’t miss this for the word.”  Krassny and many other runners from multiple decades took this opportunity to reminisce about their experiences on the team.  “Coach has a unique way of dealing with talent,” said Larry Forrester, Trinity ‘72.  “Al’s genius was that he left us alone to find our own way to greatness.”  “He treated us like adults, ” added Peter Quance, Trinity ‘77. “The football coaches couldn’t believe we did all this on our own, that there was enough self-initiative,” said Joseph Browder, Trinity ’75.  The film’s director, Amy Unell, Trinity ‘03, said the turnout was indicative of Buehler’s impact upon people during his 55 years at Duke.

After cocktails, the group moved to Griffith Theater for the screening of The Coach Buehler Story.  The film, despite its rough cut status, was met with thunderous applause and garnered much praise from the audience. “There was such an emotional connection in the audience; there was a lot of clapping, lots of tears,” Unell said.  “People came up to me balling, very emotionally moved.”  Unell also recounted stories of teachers who approached her who had been inspired to use some of Buehler’s sayings to enhance their teaching in the classroom.  “Coach is first and foremost a teacher…. And that’s what it’s all about,” she said.  Buehler himself thoroughly enjoyed the film.  “I thought it was super,” he said. “There was great photography and Grant Hill did a great job reading the script."

The film will take its message to audiences worldwide fairly soon, provided that it gains acceptance in the festival circuit. “We are tweaking it, editing it, getting it ready for film festivals,” Unell said.  And there’s already “lots of interest in distribution… on [television]” in addition to other media outlets.  With all of the successes and attention the film has already enjoyed, The Coach Buehler Story is sure to allow Coach Buehler to spread his legendary coaching wisdom and impact many who have never even met him.

You can find out more about the film at www.coachbuehler.com.