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GHC celebrates Black History Month: Ellis explains why his life deserves to be a movieBy Zack Bolien Jim Ellis was told his entire life that African-Americans could not swim. The common notion at that time was that due to bone density a black person would never be able to out swim a white one. But growing up in West Philadelphia during the sixties and seventies when most city youth were more concerned with gangs and violence than how fast they could swim, Ellis knew his place was in the water. Enrolled in his youth at the local YMCA for swim lessons, Ellis took naturally to the aquatic sport. As he grew older, Ellis moved from swimming to coaching, taking positions at local pools to educate the youth. In 1971 he founded the Philadelphia Department of Recreation (PDR) Swim Team, which would eventually become the nation's best predominately African-American team. In late March, the movie "Pride" will be released, showing the world some of the events that occurred on the journey from after-school swimming to national championships. In anticipation of the movie, and as part of GHC's observance of Black History Month, Ellis spoke at the Floyd campus at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6. Ellis' speech dealt with his actions with the swim team and how they not only set records in swimming, but in diversity. The swim team started out with all African-Americans. But as word spread of Ellis and his expert coaching, more parents from all different cultures brought their children to him. As Ellis himself joked, "We looked like the United Nations." Ellis spoke more about the accomplishments of the team than the color, however. He stressed that he never intended to cause such a commotion, but only to help the inner city youth stay away from drugs and violence. Not only did he succeed in this goal, but several of his swimmers went on to Olympic tryouts and college scholarships. In the nineties there were more than 150 people, either recreational or competitive, under Ellis' tutelage. His name had become synonymous with swimming, and when an article published by the "New York Times" was written about him, Ellis said that he felt as if he was suddenly on the forefront of something very big. In 2002, a script was penned about Ellis and his life. It caught the eye of Sunu Gonera, an affluent businessman with a passion for movie making. Soon after, the film was picked up by Lion's Gate and put into production. Ellis remarked that the entire process of having a movie made about him was exciting, but surreal at the same time. "You have to sign away your life rights," Ellis said. "Life rights. That sounds serious." Ellis hopes that not only will the movie do well, but that it will inspire more black athletes to try competitive swimming. The PDR he founded is still going strong in local and national competitions. Ellis is still the head coach of the team, as well as teaching geometry at a public high school in Philadelphia. He took a leave from school this semester to travel America and speak about his life and the movie, but plans to return to teaching as soon as he can. While he enjoys meeting new people and speaking at colleges, he still feels most at home near the pool. "Give back," was the main point Ellis stressed through his speech. "Give back. When you graduate, give back to the community. We need it desperately." "And remember," he chuckled, "They said African Americans can't swim." Ellis' appearance was part of the GHC Community Speaker Series sponsored by the Office of Student Life with additional support from the college's Foundation. The next speaker in the series is Deanna Latson, a nationally known nutritionist who has worked with a variety of high-profile clients, including NFL teams. The title of Latson's presentation will be "Eat Right. Feel Good. Look Great." She will be speaking in the Lakeview Auditorium on the Floyd campus at 7 p.m. on March 1. Admission is free to those with a GHC ID. There will be a $5 charge for others who attend. |
