WALDEN MEDIA, THE KERNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, SAM WEISMAN, AND JOSH SHELOV EMBRACE “THE MIRACLE OF ST. ANTHONY”

September 27, 2007

Kerner, who previously partnered with Walden Media on 2006’s “Charlotte’s Web,” will serve as producer. Sam Weisman (“George of the Jungle,” “Mighty Ducks II”) will direct as well as executive produce, with Josh Shelov (“Green Street Hooligans” and the upcoming “Ten Bears” with Warner Bros.) adapting Wojnarowski’s book. Wojnarowski will consult along with Hurley on the film.

“The Miracle of St. Anthony” is the inspirational true story of famed high school basketball coach Bob Hurley, Sr. and his St. Anthony’s basketball team, which for years has provided a beacon of hope for the school’s downtrodden Jersey City neighborhood. Now, Hurley, the hard-nosed, devoted coach who led St. Anthony to 22 state championships and 2 national championships, is about to face his most difficult challenge yet: transforming the toughest, least engaged and least prepared group of players he’s ever coached into champions, even as he fights to keep St Anthony’s doors open.

Hurley has shaped as many business professionals as he has basketball players. He was a finalist this year for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. A lifelong basketball fan, director Sam Weisman fell in love with Wojnarowski’s book and wrote a lengthy fan letter to the author, who is the NBA beat reporter for Yahoo! Sports. The two struck up a phone friendship before meeting and agreeing to try to bring “The Miracle of St. Anthony” to the screen.

“Since starting Walden Media, Cary and I have been looking for an inspiring story that illustrates the transforming power of education,” said Walden co-founder and president Micheal Flaherty. “In his wonderful depiction of Bob Hurley, the students, parents, and teachers who have contributed to Saint Anthony’s national reputation of excellence, Adrian has given us that gift with his uplifting book. We are grateful that Jordan and Sam brought it to us. In addition to making a great film, we look forward to supporting it with a grassroots campaign that will honor other great coaches, parents, students, and teachers who have given so much of themselves to ensure that their students receive the quality education they so richly deserve.” 

“When Sam came to me with Adrian’s brilliant book, I immediately called Cary Granat and Micheal Flaherty,” stated Kerner. “Coincidentally, Micheal and Chip Flaherty had just read his book and loved it. It was kismet. We were all taken with Adrian’s amazing storytelling and his luminous writing. He vividly captured those rare, real-life characters that inhabit classic stories of miracle and extraordinary effort toward a common goal. Sam will direct a film that will resonate with passion, humor, commitment, family and lives saved.”

“It’s impossible not to be affected by this story, whether you’re a basketball fan or not,” said Weisman. “Walden is the perfect home for telling this incredible story, and I really look forward to working with their team as well as Jordan, Josh and Adrian.”

Added Shelov: “Spend an hour with Bob Hurley Sr. and you’ll wish you could clone him. That’s a reasonable approximation of what our job is: to deliver Coach Hurley’s character around the world. I’m genuinely honored to be a part of it.”

Walden Media VP of Development Evan Turner will oversee the project on the company’s behalf, with EVP of Business and Legal Affairs Jim Meenaghan negotiating the deals on the company’s behalf. Kerner is represented by CAA.Weisman is represented by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and attorney Christine Cuddy. Shelov is represented by Paradigm and Shawn Simon of Anonymous Content.