GLENSIDE, Pa.: Arcadia University Women's Basketball head coach Lorie Khalil made her big picture debut recently with the opening of the critically acclaimed film, The Mighty Macs. The new movie, which opened nationwide this past weekend, is based on the true Cinderella story of Immaculata College winning the inaugural women's college basketball national championship in 1972.
Khalil, who is beginning her first season at the helm of Arcadia's women's basketball program, portrays a member of the Mississippi State team that played Immacualta in the national semifinal game.
The scene in which Khalil appears, was shot in West Chester University's old gymnasium, and according to Khalil, took two days to shoot. "The producers really wanted to get it right,” she reveals, “and capture all of the emotions of this semifinal win for Immaculata."
At the time of casting for the film, Khalil was coaching at Centenary College, in Hackettstown, N.J., and as a matter of chance, was alerted of the potential opportunity by a friend. “A friend of mine happened to see a newspaper ad for try-outs for the movie so her and I traveled down to Immaculata's campus to try out. They gave each of us a number and put us through various basketball drills. Once we wrapped up the drill sessions, they asked some people to leave and then split up players into the different teams that would be facing Immaulata's team in the movie."
Of the experience, Khalil said, “It was remarkable to be a part of a movie that 30 years ago was real-life and a story that has become the bedrock for what women's college basketball is today. I had the opportunity to meet and work with some very incredible local players and coaches, along with meeting WNBA Hall of Famer Ruthie Bolton, who portrayed the Mississippi State head coach in the film.”
The Mighty Macs is rated G and currently in theatres nationwide.
Khalil and the Knights open the 2011-12 season on November 15, hosting Stevenson University at 6 p.m. at the Kuch Athletics & Recreation Center in Glenside, Pa.
