TROY—James Robert “Radio” Kennedy and Coach Harold Jones, whose inspirational story was told in the pages of “Sports Illustrated” and later on the big screen in the 2003 movie “Radio,” will speak at Troy University’s 12th annual Helen Keller Lecture on April 17.

This year’s lecture will be offered twice, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus. There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend.

Entertainment for this year’s event will be singer Daniel Ray, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth. He was hospitalized 22 times during his first two years of life and endured numerous medical procedures and rounds of treatment throughout his childhood. While still exhibiting signs of cerebral palsy today, Ray is free of medication and oxygen treatments.

The Helen Keller lecture is designed to promote awareness of people who excel in their chosen fields despite physical and/or mental limitations. The lecture is sponsored by Troy University, and co-sponsored by the Alabama Department of Education, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, the Helen Keller National Center, the Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf/Easter Seals, the Troy Arts Council and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

Jones, former football coach at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, SC, befriended Kennedy, a developmentally challenged youth who was often seen pushing a shopping cart through the streets of the town. Kennedy, who earned his nickname “Radio” because of his vintage radio collection and his love for music, was assumed to be mute and was often the target of scorn by other young people.

Jones enlisted Kennedy to assist the coaching staff and players during practices and games and allowed him to sit in on classes at school. Kennedy soon became a fixture around the high school and its athletic programs and today remains an honorary coach for the T.L. Hanna football team.

Jones and Kennedy will be autographing the book “Beyond the Game: The Collected Sportswriting of Gary Smith,” in which the renowned Sports Illustrated feature writer profiled the duo in an article “Someone to Lean On.” The 1996 article eventually led to a retelling of the story through the movie starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Ed Harris. Proceeds from books sold will go to the Outdoor Dream Foundation, which was started in 2004 to help young people 21 years of age and younger with life-threatening illnesses realize their dreams of hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. The book signing will take place in the lobby of the Claudia Crosby Theater immediately following the 7 p.m. lecture.

Other activities are also planned in conjunction with the lecture. The movie “Radio” will be shown at 7 p.m. on April 16 at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium. Concessions will be available for purchase.

An exhibit of artwork from area school students will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 18. The exhibit will be held on the Bibb Graves Quad, weather permitting. TROY students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

FocusFirst free vision screening for children ages 2 to 18 will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. on April 19 in the second floor student lounge of the Trojan Center. FocusFirst, an Alabama student vision initiative, provides a cost-effective direct response to the vision problems of underprivileged children. Students in TROY’s Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion will screen area children through the use of state-of-the-art photo screening technology and in the event of a potential vision problem, provide assistance in obtaining follow-up treatment.

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