For the Small Schools

Growing up a farmer and basketball player from a small town in Indiana, Kent Poole encompassed every aspect of what it means to be a true Hoosier. His life changed dramatically when he landed the role of Merle in the movie, Hoosiers. From the outside, it was a life that appeared to be close to perfection. Inside however, was a different story.

[@donttrip775]

by far, hands down the best sports movie of all time. they couldnt have picked a better person to play the part Kent played. God bless his family.

[@annmornin2542]

I just lost my Dad on October 25th. I am a sports fanatic because of him. Hoosiers was our favorite movie to watch together. I’m watching it right now and missing him so much. Your Dad did deliver the best line of the movie. You did a beautiful job putting this together. He would be so proud of you!

[@jasonmarlar8854]

I did not know this. God bless Kent and his family.

[@todchristensen1454]

What a beautiful tribute to a man I would have enjoyed knowing. So glad I ran across this video today.

[@clintjohnstonarborviewhs8128]

So sad!! Had not heard of his passing! RIP Kent. #Hoosierforever!

[@budjeepman]

My favorite movie of all time! I wish Kent was still with us. R. I. P.

[@seventh_adam4410]

Gene Hackman thought it would be a failure and had no confidence in it or the director.

[@hoosierboy43]

excellent video...Thank You.

[@michaelglucksman147]

That's very sad. He was clearly loved by his family

[@TimfromChicago]

My heart goes out to his family. Hate to admit but I too battle depression and it’s the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. Ironically I would watch Hoosiers and be able to pick myself up if only temporary.I went to visit the Hoosier Gym and sadly heard about this documentary when I asked about the players on the team. Heartbreaking to see his family who truly loved him is even more heartbreaking. He made that movie even more incredible and just wish there could of been a better story ending for this. Amazing job

[@chriscampbell6872]

I live near where he grew up, and accidentally found his grave today with my girlfriend...messaged my friend Shawn Brown, who sent me this link, and who is affiliated with the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, where I grew up and was in the stands for the movie...this was such a touching tribute, his family is so beautiful and wonderful and understanding and forgiving. Thanks you Landry for putting this together.

[@hardric]

So sorry to learn of this. He had many of the most inspiring and triumphant lines in the movie.

[@bartbutkis]

How in the world did I miss seeing this KZbin video before today (6/21)? I was a huge fan of the movie and even made a point of taking a side trip to Milan, Indiana to visit the town and tour the museum when I went back to watch a college football game at the University of Cincinnati. I too went through the depths of hell while suffering with clinical depression and panic attacks/agoraphobia. Hit bottom one morning when I put a 12 gauge shotgun barrel in my mouth. I just hurt so much and didn't want to go on another day. At the same time, I was just to afraid to pull the trigger. At that point, I admitted defeat and asked for help. My respect to the family. It's obvious you are all wonderful folks. If our country was filled in 2021 with folks like you, we'd be ok. I wish you all wonderful lives, filled with love and passion.

[@rjbloomquist2104]

Way to honor your father young man. He was my favorite player on Hickory and Hoosiers is my favorite movie. So sorry you lost him. I remember hearing the day he passed and it broke my heart.

[@carlastead3086]

Sorry to hear about Kent Poole..Hoosiers is a great movie&all the actors did a great job Hope his family is o.k

[@kricketrob35]

I remember dressing up, heading to that Lebanon gym, eating a brown sack lunch and being apart of this movie. We had so much fun and I definitely remember Kent walking around our halls at WEBO…very handsome and oh what a great basketball player! We had an awesome team at WEBO! He was our STAR 💫!!! ❤️

[@slyspy9819]

I have nothing but love for this man who brought me and so many others so much joy . Learning of Kents passing brought a tears from my eye as he seemed so together on screen I was taken back in shock . This movie and him will stay with us forever and I pray his family lives life to the fullest in his memory . Much Love from Boston !

[@wingrider687]

Best sports movie ever! As a farm kid I could relate with Kent's character because I knew kids like him from school and FFA. Thank-you for making this!

[@darrenrowland5549]

Prayers for family you deserved better

[@darrenrowland5549]

Human depression is real, but family love conquers.

[@keithpopko7068]

My favorite sports movie will now be appreciated even more thanks to this touching and poignant film. Thank you for the wonderful job of putting this together - a mini masterpiece of filmmaking. And to Kent's family, my heart goes out to you - thank you for bringing to light the story of your husband and father and the impact he had on all of you. I only hope more people discover this gem of a film and that it will help others who struggle with depression.

[@scottwaymire3431]

You did an amazing job with this video. I feel terrible for the family. At least you have great memories of Kent.

[@RDT-uq1ip]

I am privileged to be able to say that I went to HS with Kent. I cheered for him on the basketball ball court both on and off screen. I am fighting my own battle with depression now and it breaks my heart to know that he went through this so quietly and alone.

[@ViperSoloz]

I am a Freshman at Western Boone where I lived in Thorntown when I was younger I sadly never met Kent but I knew him through that movie my dad was even asked by Kent to work with him at his farm my dad was turning out to be good friends with him before he died

[@phoover76]

Very nice job. Have been watching this film since I was playing basketball in middle and high school. Then spent 12 years as a corporate video editor and still do it to this day where I incorporated some of this film into my videos. Still one I watch to this day as I motivate my troops as a valet manager. Amazing movie. Amazing performance. Amazing documentary giving us a sneak peak behind the scenes after the fact. Thank you so much for putting this together. Keep doing it. You've got the gift. I look forward to what you come up with next.

[@aislinnkeilah7361]

The players performances were authentic to perfection. Greatest sports movie of all. time.

[@mrlaw711]

A very nice piece for Kent's friends, family, and the any fans of this movie - perhaps, the best sports movie of all time.

[@jacerowley5620]

It's my favorite sports movie of all time. Might be my favorite overall movie of all time!

[@timheidel5849]

Many people deal with depression...I believe this documentary will help people.

[@ronachten2902]

It just did.

[@seventh_adam4410]

I use to think you had to be weak to be depressed until the day it hit me and I too wanted to take my life. I lost all hope but somehow I made it.

[@wallabaatar]

Thanks for this. Excellently done...very moving and honoring to Kent and his family.

[@garydahn6728]

What a fantastic job Landry, well done.

[@seventh_adam4410]

Well said.

[@carlylefloyd6126]

Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@shalombringer]

Thank you for making and sharing this Landry! Captured Kent perfectly and honorably.

[@TheCream14]

Great tribute to Kent. Best sports movie ever. Wonderful family. Your strength is inspiring.

[@seventh_adam4410]

Kudos to you Landry for a well done video; one worth the wait.

[@burgee60]

Awesome job, great story

[@HollywoodNobody]

Tremendous job, Landry. I remember your dad coming to speak to our youth group in the early 1990s at Northside Baptist Church. Even traded a few letters with him that I’ve saved. I think I sent him a VHS copy of the laserdisc we had. 😂 That was big time technology in those days. He’s a good man, so no surprise that he raised a great and talented son. Loved the short. Continued success to you.

[@danielambrose23]

Wow, just wow. Tremendous film.

[@seventh_adam4410]

He had such a promising career too,

[@jmuduke99]

Great piece. Just one thing - it was actually Everett (David Neidorf) who said "No, you shut up Rade!"

[@scottcaldwell7480]

A touching tribute.

[@deecondon2816]

What a lovely tribute. You did a fantastic job.

[@turtle19dad]

Orleans High School 2003 nearly made the miracle run before getting knocked out in Semi-State. My uncle gave them the pep talk before the games. Just goes to show you how much it means. When my uncle passed away. The entire Orleans High School squad went into his funeral as a team. Small towns bleed basketball. Nothing like the IHSAA basketball tournament. Rowdy and LOUD!!!!

[@seventh_adam4410]

Thats sooo awesome man, thanks for sharing.

[@turtle19dad]

@@seventh_adam4410 my uncle lost both legs due to diabetes, and he told them "I may have lost my legs, but I'm not gonna let that stop me." And the cool thing is, being from Orleans and living in Southern California, the story of Orleans High School had actually reached out here. They were saying "The real life story of Hoosiers is happening."

[@seventh_adam4410]

@@turtle19dad Is this New Orleans you are speaking of or is this a team in Ca? I would like to find something on it. Are there videos or stories on it that you know of ? Thats really too bad about your uncle.

[@turtle19dad]

@@seventh_adam4410 Orleans High School. Southern Indiana. I was deployed at the time and my mom was shocked to hear about the Bulldogs run to semi-state. This is from Semi-State. Seymour... www.ihsaa.org/archive/b-basketball/03SemiState.htm

[@seventh_adam4410]

@@turtle19dad Gottcha; I will check it out and I always love a good story.

[@paigecampbell4306]

This was so awesome! Thank you for putting this together, and I hope that all went well during the film festival!

[@builderofthespirit]

I saw your Dad the night he killed himself. I was driving home, going thru Jamestown, IN. and he came out of the bar with an arm full of beer. I could tell he was drunk. I almost stopped to say something to him, but I did not - if only I had? I will never forget that!

[@seventh_adam4410]

You should have narrated the movie Hoosiers; what a nice touch that would have been.

[@jeffreyreed8714]

Kent Poole was a great man as evidenced by his wife and children. Landry, thanks for this most touching story!

[@mikegagne3263]

As a sports movie it was great. As a redemption movie, Best Ever. More people redeemed since The Ten Commandments, and that doesn't count

[@bigbadredsox]

Very good.

[@builderofthespirit]

I saw Kent the night he killed himself. I was driving home, going thru Jamestown, IN. and Kent came out of the bar with an arm full of beer. I could tell he was drunk. I almost stopped to say something to him, but I did not - if only I had? I will never forget that!

[@blastandbombast3189]

As strange as it sounds, a lot of people drink alcohol, a depressant, when they are depressed. He probably did so to get up the courage to suicide. You did nothing wrong by not accosting him. It is truly unfortunate that he did not seek professional help. I wish that he had come to me (I have been a psychologist since 1996). I so love the movie "Hoosiers." I would have been so honored to have helped him. Depression is VERY treatable! I, personally, struggled with it for years (1973-1982), and the counseling that I received helped me overcome it.

[@jdmathews312]

The PCC is awful

[@jamielumm9583]

Sad story about a man who hanged himself over religious guilt.

[@marknesemeier3882]

The discussion of depression is real people, don’t ever scoff at some one who talks about it, I know from personal experience. Hoosiers is one of my top five movies all time, loved, played and lived Basketball my whole life. March madness, its awesome. Kent Poole does have one of the most memorable lines of any sports movie ever said. My junior year of high school a team in North Dakota played in the 1977 state championship game with a total high school enrollment of 26, Epping, still to this day its the most talked about game ever.