The Miracle Season is the story of 17-year-old volleyball player Caroline Found and the inspiration for the motion picture of the same name, starring Academy Award winners Helen Hunt and William Hurt. On August 11, 2011, Caroline Line Found was tragically killed in a moped accident on her way to visit her terminally ill mother, Ellyn. Caroline’s death, and that of her mother twelve days later, shocked her Iowa City community and devastated her father, Ernie Found, and siblings, Gregg and Catharine.
The Miracle Season is a 2018 American sports drama film directed by Sean McNamara.
Faced with an overwhelming grief of their own, the Iowa City West volleyball team and coach, Kathy Bresnahan, attempted to move forward, hoping for some type of normalcy to return to their fractured lives. But how do you move forward playing a game that serves as a constant reminder of your fallen leader?
Anyone who has struggled to overcome life’s challenges will appreciate this story of strength, faith, perseverance and love. Starring Erin Moriarty, Helen Hunt, William Hurt & Danika Yarosh. The film is based on the true story of the Iowa City West High School volleyball team after the sudden death of the team’s heart and leader, Caroline Found, in 2011.[5] It was released in the United States on April 6, 2018.[6] The film received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $10 million worldwide.
Plot 2010 State Final vs Ankeny – YouTube
Caroline “Line” Found is the star volleyball player on the Iowa City West High School volleyball team and well-loved by members of the community. With Line as the captain, the Trojans have been undefeated and everyone in the city has high hopes for them to win the championship against their long-time rival, City High. During a party at her house, Line sneaks off to visit her mother Ellyn who is being treated for cancer in hospital.
Line is killed in a moped accident, leaving the entire community in mourning.
At Line’s wake, Ellyn insists on walking to her daughter’s casket to pay her respects;
Ellyn dies from cancer days after the wake, leaving her husband and Line’s father
Ernie grieving over the loss of his wife and his daughter.
The Trojans’ coach, Kathy “Brez” Bresnahan continues to hold volleyball practice.
She asks Line’s best friend, Kelley Fliehler to return to the team, saying Line would have wanted them to continue. Kelley initially refuses, but Brez persuades her. The Trojans forfeited their most recent match and Kelley encourages the entire school to continue for Line.
West High struggles in practice and loses their first game badly, still discouraged by Line’s death. Brez runs the team through grueling drills and names Kelley the new captain. Kelley initially struggles in the role, but improves as the weeks go by. The team begins to win and is motivated to win the state championship for Line. They need to win the fourteen remaining games to be eligible for the state championship, which they do.
Before the tournament begins, Kelley receives a gift from Line’s father that encourages her not just to play for Line, but to “Live Like Line.” At West High, Kelley and boyfriend Alex paint the windows to read “Live Like Line”. T-Shirts with the catchphrase are given out to players, staff, and fans. The Trojans win the quarter-final game with ease, but struggle to win their semi-final game. They move on to the championship against City High, who are heavily favored to win. Before the game, Brez gives a tribute to Line, deciding not to have a moment of silence, but encourages the crowd to meet someone new, as Line always was kind to everyone. City takes the lead early, but West ties the score and forces the fifth and final set, which the Trojans win. As the crowd cheers, “Sweet Caroline” plays in honor of Line and Kelley holds Line’s picture up high and proud.
During the closing credits, images, videos, and footage show the real life Caroline Found and her family, Kelley Fliehler, Kathy Bresnahan, and the Iowa West High volleyball team. On-screen subtitles show how Caroline Found’s death inspired the real Iowa West High volleyball team to repeat their win for the IC West Championship Match 2011 (youtube.com) The Founds climbed Mount Monadnock.
Over 4,000 students from across Iowa attended Line’s funeral. Kathy “Brez” Bresnahan was voted National Coach of the Year for 2011; she retired from coaching in 2014 but remains in contact with the 2011 team. Scott Sanders would replace Bresnahan as the West High coach, while Kelley Fliehler went on to study microbiology at Iowa State University. Ernie was given a white rose at senior night to honor Caroline Found.
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A bench in downtown Iowa City was painted in honor of Line
and her mother Ellyn.
Bench honoring Caroline Found moved to West High (press-citizen.com)
Following Line’s death, friends and teammates adopted the motto, “Live like Line ”
to honor her abundant life. These three words, which were printed on T-shirts,
and bracelets provided the hope and motivation for those grieving Line’s death.
It also served as a rallying cry to never give up.
“There was no chance of forfeiting the season [after Line passed away].
That would’ve been disrespectful to Caroline even to consider the notion
of not having a season,” Bresnahan says.
Ernie Found (portrayed by William Hurt in the film), Line’s father, tearfully recalled
her birth on Father’s Day as his fondest memory of his daughter. But it’s the way that she inspired everyone around her that makes him proudest. “All she ever wanted to do was put a smile on someone else’s face,” Found says.
The film closes with Line’s best friend Kelly Fliehler (Erin Moriarty) discovering her own self-worth as she steps up as a team leader. Eventually, Fliehler lead the squad to their second straight title, which they dedicated to Line.
Bresnahan is optimistic the “The Miracle Season” will inspire young audiences to
“Live Like Line” in their everyday lives. “Embrace each other because when you have the power of a group, we are so much stronger than we are as individuals,” says Bresnahan.
Hunt agrees, adding, “circling up with other women is how I survived some of my most difficult times. Seeing Caitlin Clark: When those who’ve coached and covered her recognized she was ‘something special’ (msn.com) | Caitlin Clark’s Ascent from Childhood Prodigy to Women’s Basketball Stardom (msn.com) | Caitlin Clark’s relentless climb into the record books (msn.com) | How many did Caitlin Clark score last night? Tracking her pursuit of the all-time record (msn.com)
“There’s power in sisterhood.
which brightens up the game every day.”For Caroline found (live like line) please subscribe (youtube.com)
KATHY BRESNAHAN AND THE MIRACLE SEASON!! (youtube.com)
Exclusive Insider Interview with Kathy Bresnahan (youtube.com)
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