WOODEN TO BE INDUCTED INTO NAIA HALL OF FAME
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that legendary coach John Wooden will be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held in conjunction with the 72nd Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship Tip Off banquet on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The celebration will take place at 6:30 p.m. (CT) at the Conference Center Grand Ballroom located in downtown Kansas City. In Wooden’s absence the NAIA will show a special tribute video taken during Jim Carr’s, NAIA President, visit to Wooden’s home this past week in Los Angeles.
“I am very flattered to receive this award. My association with the NAIA was really wonderful. One should get personal satisfaction and joy out of being inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame and that certainly is true about my situation,” said Wooden. “I have many friends that have been inducted and I just appreciate those who thought I was worthy to join them.”
An American icon, legendary coach, respected educator and role model, Coach Wooden will enter the NAIA Hall of Fame in the meritorious service category. Wooden’s impact on collegiate athletics began in Terre Haute, Indiana, when he served as athletics director and head basketball and baseball coach at Indiana State University (1946-1948).
In 1947, Wooden and the Indiana State Sycamores won the conference title and received an invitation to the NAIB, now the NAIA, national tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Wooden refused the invitation citing the policy that banned African American players from competing. Wooden declined to compete if a member of his squad, Clarence Walker, was not allowed to participate. The following year, the NAIB changed its policy, and Wooden with Walker, guided the Sycamores to the national championship game losing to Louisville, 82-70. Perhaps his actions opened the door for Tennessee State and Coach John McLendon to win the first of three consecutive national championships in years to follow. Wooden’s involvement in breaking the color barrier in college athletics, and his story in doing so, signify his principles as a human being. Although his professional coaching career in the NAIA was limited to two years, his contribution and stance for justice is a cornerstone of the NAIA legacy.
“We are honored to welcome Coach Wooden into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He is a tremendous testament of character-driven intercollegiate athletics and continues to be a mentor to many. His contributions and decisions have shaped the game of basketball and opened the door for numerous young men and women,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “Coach Wooden is a legend on many fronts including player, teacher and coach. I admire his unwavering commitment to use the power of sport to teach lessons for life. It is a pleasure to recognize Coach Wooden in the meritorious service category.”
Following the 1948 season, Wooden left Indiana State to become the most decorated coach in college basketball history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Over the course of 27 seasons Wooden led the Bruins to seven consecutive national championships, 10 total and an 88-game winning streak that still stands today. During his tenure at UCLA, his teams won 38 straight games in the NCAA tournaments. To this day, Wooden retains the title Head Men’s Basketball Coach Emeritus at UCLA.
Wooden’s awards and accolades are too numerous to count but more important are the lives he’s touched through the great game of basketball. For Wooden’s work on and off the court he is recognized in Hall of Fames throughout the country. The honors list is highlighted with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Wooden is a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. ESPN has called Wooden the “greatest coach of all-time in any sport.”
Wooden has modeled his life around the principle that athletics is an integral part of the total education process. For his continued work in promoting character-driven intercollegiate athletics the NAIA is proud to induct Coach John Wooden into the NAIA Hall of Fame. Induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame is the highest bestowed by the Association and consists of a division for each sport and recognition for meritorious service.
Coach Wooden joins the following 2008-09 NAIA Hall of Fame class: Mike Cleary (Meritorious Service), Patrick Clemens (Men’s Soccer – Meritorious Service), Paul Swanson (Volleyball Coach), Fernanda Vivancos Nelson (Volleyball Player), Robert F. Shoup (Football Coach), Jerry Tolley (Football – Meritorious Service), Mike Lightfoot (Basketball Coach), Paul Bartlett (Wrestling – Meritorious Service), Ben Foster (Men’s Golf Coach), Dave Bingham (Baseball Coach), James Kenneth Sparks (Football Coach), Steve Ridder (Men’s Basketball Coach), and Sam Riggleman (Men’s Baseball Coach).
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
