Stripes of the Tiger
(a documentary film)
BACKGROUND
University of the Pacific was the first chartered university in California’s history being established on July 10, 1851, in Santa Clara, under the name California Wesleyan College. The school moved to San Jose in 1871 and then to Stockton in 1923. A small, private school, Pacific was the first co-educational campus in California, opened the first conservatory of music on the west coast, and founded the first medical school on the west coast. This tiny school also played the game of football, with their first game being played in 1895. From 1895 through 1924 Pacific played football as an Independent.
In 1925 they joined the Northern California Athletic Conference. In 1933 Pacific was put on the football map when the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg became their head football coach. Mr. Stagg coached at Pacific from 1933 until 1946 with great success, including victories over his former school, the University of Chicago.
Following on the football traditions that Mr. Stagg brought to Pacific, the school competed in the sport at the highest levels for the next 49 years until abruptly, in 1995, the school’s Board of Regents decided to drop football to save money. In one move, 100 years of history was abandoned.
Sixteen men held the position of head football coach at Pacific from 1921 until the program was dropped in 1995. Stripes of the Tiger will trace the football history, legacy and coaching lineage that was spawned at University of the Pacific. The film also explores the landscape of competitive college football and looks at the reasons a once proud program like Pacific’s became extinct.
SYNOPSIS
Stripes of the Tiger is a documentary film that tells the rich tale of the football heritage and legacy at University of the Pacific.
Pacific’s lineage traces back to the glory days of the College of the Pacific, coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, quarterback Eddie LeBaron and their undefeated 1949 team.
As Pacific football progressed over the years the program ended up producing a staggering number of coaches that went on to the NFL and other fame. The list of coaches that played or had coaching stops at Pacific before moving on to the NFL is amazing. How did such a small school produce so many prolific football coaches? Stripes of the Tiger will document their stories.
Collegiate national championships, Heisman Trophy award winners, Super Bowl championships. Innovative play designs that revolutionized the game. Pioneering student athletes that broke racial color barriers. Stripes of the Tiger has this and more and tells the unique story of University of the Pacific football, a tale of a college football program lost to time and economics, yet not forgotten as its legacy lives on through the men whose coaching careers evolved from there.
Target Audience
The target audience for Stripes of the Tiger is broad as the story is compelling and will appeal to many different demographics. Football fans, history buffs, civil rights supporters, military personnel, and those who like to root for the “underdog” will find the film appealing. Thus far, small focus groups of 18 to 25 year old males have been tested and seem very interested in the topic. The film will also be specifically targeted to the alumni base at University of the Pacific, who will be able to personally identify with the subject matter.
Distribution Strategy
The distribution strategy for Stripes of the Tiger is to pitch the film to all of the likely candidates that air sports documentary programing, including ESPN 30/30, NFL Films, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Fox Sports 1, HBO Sports, Showtime Entertainment Sports, Epix, SB Nation, etc. A box set DVD with behind the scenes footage and bonus video of every interview from the film shown in their entirety will also be offered. The film will be marketed via social networking and a direct email campaign to University of the Pacific alumni.
Funding Plan
Stripes of the Tiger Foundation, LLC was formed as a fundraising arm to produce the film. The foundation will work closely with University of the Pacific to reach out to alumni to solicit donations to finance the production of the film.
A series of fundraisers will be planned at University of the Pacific sporting events and special screenings will be shown to UOP alumni groups of the work completed thus far on the film.
Stripes of the Tiger Foundation, LLC is a member of the San Francisco Film Society and has 501(c)(3) non-profit status for all funding raised to make this film. All donations made are tax deductible.
Current Status (completion timeline)
Thus far the film has been privately financed by the producer, Brad Lane, and from small donations gathered via crowd source funding. Fifteen interviews have been conducted to date and approximately 40 additional interviews are needed to complete the film. Once financed, the production timetable is 12 months.