The Program (1993 film)

The Program
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	David S. Ward
Written by	David S. Ward Aaron Latham
Produced by	Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
Starring	James Caan Halle Berry Omar Epps Craig Sheffer Kristy Swanson
Music by	Michel Colombier
Production companies	Touchstone Pictures[1] The Samuel Goldwyn Company[1]
Distributed by	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution[1]
Release date	September 24, 1993 (1993-09-24)
Running time	114 minutes[1]
Country	United States[1]
Language	English
Budget	$15-20 million[1]
Box office	$23 million[2]

The Program is a 1993 American sports drama film starring James Caan, Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Craig Sheffer, Kristy Swanson, and Joey Lauren Adams. The film was directed by David S. Ward who has directed and written other Hollywood films such as the Major League series.

The film touches on the season of the fictional Division I FBS (then IA) college football team, the Eastern State University (ESU) Timberwolves as they deal with the pressure to make a bowl game, alcohol and anabolic steroid abuse, receipt of improper benefits, and overall college life. It follows the trials of Coach Sam Winters (Caan), the Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Kane (Sheffer), the freshman running back Darnell Jefferson (Epps), their love interests (Berry and Swanson), and other team members.

The film was released by Touchstone Pictures in September 1993. The film went on to gross over $20 million at the box office. The film was shot on location at several American universities, including: Boston College, Duke University, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and the University of South Carolina. While the college that is the main setting of the film is fictional, the team's opponents are real programs. The film includes a cameo appearance from Michigan coaching legend Bo Schembechler.