WEST CHATHAM — William Smith loved his former high school football coach Alvin Scott so much that he wrote a documentary about him, and will show a preview on Monday at Simeon Career Academy High School.
"Coach Scott meant a lot to us (football players). He taught us more about life than about football," recalled Smith, who played wide receiver for Scott from 1975-1977. "He always reminded us that society would see us first as black men and then as athletes."
In 2005, Scott died after a battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife and adult son.
The free, 30-minute preview will be shown 4 p.m. at the high school, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave. Afterward, nine former Simeon players who went on to play in the National Football League, will speak: Eddie Phillips (Chicago Bears); Jeffery Morgan (Seattle Seahawks); Wayne Crockrom (Oakland Raiders); Larry Kelly and Jimmy Covington (Dallas Cowboys); Bill Johnson and Ivory McCoy (Cleveland Browns); Trumane Bell (Denver Broncos); and Derrick Dewalt (Tennessee Titans).
According to the Illinois High School Association, Scott compiled a record of 270 wins and 136 losses in 33 seasons at Simeon from 1972 to 2004.
Smith, 53, who is also producing the documentary, said he expects to complete it by January.
"Coach Scott preached and practiced discipline and success in life. He had a strong protective demeanor and never conceded to defeat in football, nor life," Smith said.
