At 8 p.m. sharp, what had started as a low rumble grew into the thunderous sound of hundreds of clapping hands.
Students, alumni and supporters gathered on Friday outside the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to honor the legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden through 8-claps and a candlelight vigil.
More than 300 people, dressed in blue and gold, came out to support Wooden, who died at 6:45 p.m. on Friday at the medical center.
Following a similar 8-clap rally held on Friday afternoon at the Bruin statue, the event outside the medical center originated as a show of support for Wooden, who was known to be in declining condition.
But upon announcement of Wooden’s death, the event’s intention changed, said Theresa Gio, a second-year political science student who organized the event.
Gio, upon hearing the news, called a sorority sister and told her to bring candles for a vigil.
“Before (the announcement, the event) was to wish him good luck, but now it is to say farewell,” said Hai Phan, a fourth-year political science student who attended the gathering.
Through Facebook, word of mouth and an announcement made at the Wooden Center, people were alerted of the event and poured from the Westwood streets to stand in unison outside the hospital.
At the Wooden Center, the announcement produced an eerie effect, with a moment of silence by all in attendance, said Bridgette Pighin, a third-year political science student who was at the Wooden Center during the announcement.
The event at the medical center began with a celebration of Wooden’s life, as people clapped and chanted while Wooden’s family watched from the east entrance of the hospital.
“It was a different 8-clap,” said Spencer Soo, a junior guard this past season for the men’s basketball team. “We said it loud, and we said it proud, but there is a sense of loss.”
Mustafa Abdul-Hamid, a redshirt junior guard this past season for the men’s basketball team, followed the clapping with an announcement asking for a moment of silence and one last 8-clap to honor the coach.
During Abdul-Hamid’s speech, which was interrupted by spontaneous 8-claps, he said Wooden died among friends and that his legacy will live on.
“He’s an inspiration. He lived a beautiful life, and we should do our best to take away the lessons that he taught,” Abdul-Hamid said.
Later on, the rally took a solemn tone as people remained to hold a candlelight vigil and commemorate Wooden through stories and prayer.
“It’s celebrating the life of one of the greatest people and coaches,” said Elan Bigknife, a fourth-year aerospace engineering student and student leader of the UCLA Den. “It’s somber in that it is the passing of a legend.”
While students made up the majority of the crowd, a number of alumni also showed up to express their condolences.
Zsuzsa Novak, who completed both her undergraduate degree in 1995 and graduate degree in 2002 at UCLA, came from her home five blocks away with her husband and son.
Novak said there were two memorable meetings in her life. One was John Wooden, the other was the Dalai Lama.
“They’re on the same level,” Novak said.