Auburn to host premiere screening of 'Quiet Courage: The James Curtis Owens Story' Nov. 10

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Auburn University will host a premiere screening of the documentary, "Quiet Courage: The James Curtis Owens Story" on Monday, Nov. 10, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. The film, produced in conjunction with Best Gurl inc., chronicles the story of Auburn University's first African-American scholarship football player, James Curtis Owens. The ticketed event will include a reception prior to the documentary screening to meet Owens and members of the cast.

In the midst of desegregation efforts at universities across the South, and after having been recruited by more than 60 other universities, Owens became "the first" at a Southeast Conference School in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia when he enrolled at Auburn University in 1969. The film chronicles Owens' time at Auburn, beginning with his recruitment and initial reluctance to attend Auburn, his success on the field, his shortcomings in the classroom and finally his acceptance as a beloved member of the storied football program.

His bold presence and kind-hearted demeanor proved crucial to Owens' success at Auburn; but his successes were not without challenges. Through firsthand interviews with teammates, and stories shared by Owens himself, "Quiet Courage" presents meaningful lessons in leadership, self-determination, perseverance and courage. His story of triumph in the face of adversity underscores that great leaders often lead without loud fanfare, but rather with quiet courage.

Through dedication and determination, the university Owens loved so dearly learned to love him back, said Thom Gossom, Owens' friend as well as his teammate and roommate at Auburn. His legacy is permanently etched in the history of Auburn University football, and his name forever in the hearts of Auburn football fans.

A meet and greet with Owens and other members of the cast will be held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. prior to the showing of the film. DVDs of the documentary will be available for purchase, and attendees will have the opportunity to have them signed by Owens and other cast members.

To view the Quiet Courage trailer, and to learn more about the documentary screening, visit www.auburn.edu/quietcourage. Tickets for the event are $25 each and may be purchased on the website or by calling (334) 844-5100.

The "Quiet Courage" screening is sponsored by the Commemorating 50 Years of Integration at Auburn University Committee, Access and Community Initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, University Outreach, the Office of Professional and Continuing Education and Auburn University Alumni Affairs.

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