John Wooden

John Robert Wooden (born October 14, 1910, near Martinsville, Indiana) is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (Class of 1961) and a coach (Class of 1973). He was the first person ever enshrined in both categories; only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since been so honored.

Related Topics:
October 14 - 1910 - Martinsville, Indiana - Basketball Hall of Fame - Lenny Wilkens - Bill Sharman

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As a player, Wooden played in the basketball-crazed state of Indiana. As a schoolboy, he played at Martinsville High School, graduating in 1928. He then matriculated to Purdue University, where he was a three-time All-American guard and a member of Purdue's 1932 national championship team (the NCAA did not officially recognize a champion until 1939). Wooden was nicknamed "The Indiana Rubber Man" for his suicidal dives on the hardcourt.

Related Topics:
Indiana - 1928 - Purdue University - All-American - NCAA

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Wooden graduated from Purdue with a degree in English. He spurned offers to become a professional and began teaching and coaching in the high school ranks. He had a record of 218-42 as a high school coach. He gained the rank of lieutenant during World War II.

Related Topics:
High school - Lieutenant - World War II

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After the war, Wooden coached at Indiana State University before taking the head coaching position at UCLA. At UCLA, Wooden gained lasting fame, having won 665 games and ten NCAA titles in twelve seasons, including 7 in a row from 1967 to 1973. His UCLA teams also had a record winning streak of 88 games, four perfect 30-0 seasons, and won 38 straight games in the NCAA Tournament. In 1972, he received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.

Related Topics:
Indiana State University - UCLA - 1972 - Sports Illustrated - Sportsman of the Year

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Nicknamed "The Wizard of Westwood", Wooden retired immediately after his 10th title in 1975. He was married to his wife Nellie for 53 years, until her death in 1985.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1985

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In 2003, UCLA dedicated the basketball court in Pauley Pavilion in honor of John and Nell Wooden. Wooden also has the gym at Martinsville High School and the student recreation center at UCLA named in his honor.

Related Topics:
2003 - Pauley Pavilion

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John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:

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• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

John also has authored a lecture and a book about the Pyramid Of Success. The Pyramid of success consists of philosophical building blocks for winning at basketball and at life. He is also the author of several other books about basketball and life.

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John Wooden: See also ►