What do the coach memorialized in the film Remember the Titans and the first African-American to play in an NBA basketball game have in common with poet J. Ivy, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and our own Marc Burnett?

They’re all featured among this year’s events celebrating February as Black History Month.

This year’s theme is “From the Arts to Athletics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead,” and events that celebrate and commemorate Black History Month are set throughout February:

• “A Night With Herman Boone” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, in Derryberry Hall Auditorium. -- Boone is the high school football coach who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film Remember the Titans.

• “Rhythm of Tennessee Celebration” at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Cookeville Drama Center. -- The show, sponsored by Live Music America, will feature the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Cookeville Mastersingers, TTU’s Frederick Kennedy and will be hosted by NewsChannel 5’s Lelan Statom. Tickets are $5 for general admission, $3 for TTU students and $1 for children 12 and under.

• A presentation by Marc Burnett that brings art and athletics together at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Noble Cody Executive Suite of the Roaden University Center. -- Burnett is the only five-time team captain in the history of our men’s basketball, and he will share some of his experiences as an African-American athlete, as well as the story of how he realized his artistic talents. Some of his exceptional paintings will be displayed.

• “One-on-One with Earl Lloyd” at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, in the RUC Tech Pride Room. -- Lloyd is the first African-American to play on an NBA basketball team and the first African-American assistant coach for an NBA team. He will share some of his experiences and answer questions from the audience.

• Poet J. Ivy will be featured at our annual Soul Food Dinner at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the RUC Multipurpose Room. -- The cost of the dinner for the general public is $5. Students get in with meal passes. Tickets are available at the Minority Affairs Office, located on the second floor of the RUC, and they will be available at the door.

• Black History Month events here will conclude with the “Why Do We Do What We Do” forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the RUC Multipurpose Room. -- The panel discussion will feature members of our African-American administration, faculty and student leaders speaking about issues relevant to African-American college students today.

For more information about any Black History Month event, call the Office of Minority Affairs at 3392.