Algeo documentary film in the works
A documentary chronicling the 44-year career of former Lansdale Catholic football coach Jim Algeo is in the works.
The documentary, entitled Football Family, is right now in its early stages and is currently raising money for the project. The fundraising campaign was launched on the popular website for inGHSHQGHQW fiOPPDNHUV, .LFN Starter, which helps enable creative projects to get the support of backers and help defray costs associated with the effort.
“It’s a story worth telling,” said Bridget Algeo Letukas, WKH fiIWK RI WKH AOJHR’V QLQH children.
To get things underway, Letukas enlisted 1986 LC graduate Michael Wagner, of the TV and Film Department of DeSales University, and LC parent Joe Wengyn, of Tamaron Video.
Wagner has both played and coached for LC, while WHQJyQ KDV GRQH JDPH fiOP and highlight video for the school’s football program.
His son, Max, is entering his senior year with the Crusaders.
Right now, the group is FRnGuFWLnJ LnWHrYLHwV wLWK former players and also gathering old photos as well as DVDs. Video clips along wLWK EODFN-DnG-wKLWH fiOP reels are also in the mix. Pictures of LC’s 1978 InterCounty League championship team, with the trophy Ln KDnG, KDYH DOrHDGy EHHn added.
“It’s really exciting,” said Letukas. “It’s really amazing to be able to re-connect with HYHryERGy LnYROYHG.”
AOJHR WRRN RYHr DV KHDG FRDFK DW /C EDFN Ln 1968 and for the next four-plus decades, words like character, heart and determination would constantly be associated with Crusaders football.
A member of the National HLJK SFKRRO AWKOHWLF CRDFKes Association Hall of Fame, Algeo compiled a 293-18215 record at LC, including an undefeated season in 1972 and a state championVKLp Ln 2004.
“2nH RI WKH firVW VHDVRnV I can remember is the 1972 team, and that was the same year the Miami Dolphins went undefeated,” Letukas said. “And because of that, I just thought this must happen all of the time in football — somebody goes undefeated.”
SKH rHFDOOV WKDW PHPRry with a chuckle, now knowing just how rare undefeated seaVRnV DrH. EYHn PRrH rDrH LV D state championship, which LC FDpWurHG Ln 2004. 7KH CODVV AA title run looks to be a major part of the documentary, and sort of where the plans for WKH prRMHFW firVW EHJDn.
Letukas had been workLnJ Rn D fiFWLRnDO VFrHHnpODy which would include some HOHPHnWV RI /C’V 2004 VWDWH title team. But when the season wrapped up, she felt that the real-life story of Lansdale Catholic football would EH HYHn EHWWHr.
SuppRrWHrV FDn pDrWLFLpate in the project at http:// www.kickstarter.com/projHFWV/561071636/IRRWEDOOfamily-the-documentary.