In a touching ceremony before Saturday’s UCLA-Michigan
State game, 60 former players and 12,000 spectators attended the
unveiling of the Nell and John Wooden Court in Pauley Pavilion,
named after UCLA’s legendary coach.
A movie consisting of photo and video clips spanning Wooden’s
childhood, his marriage to his late wife Nell, and his prolific
career at UCLA was followed by comments from UCLA Chancellor Albert
Carnesale and Wooden himself. The film called Wooden “the
best of sport, the best of life, the best of humanity.”
Introducing Coach Wooden, Carnesale called him “the greatest
teacher and coach in UCLA and intercollegiate history, and the
finest man in UCLA and intercollegiate history.”
Wooden gave credit to his former players, and expressed his
gratitude for Edwin Pauley for making his dream of Pauley Pavilion
a reality in 1965. He also reminded fans to be “gracious
hosts to our opponents.”
Before a sell-out crowd, the ceremony was also attended by much of
Wooden’s family, including seven of his 12
great-grandchildren ““ the twelfth’s birth announced
during a time-out with 5:56 left in the second half ““ and the
current UCLA men’s basketball team, along with head coach Ben
Howland.
“I wanted the guys to feel the pride, tradition, and history
to this program by being out there standing and watching the
ceremony, which was really touching,” Howland said.
After posing for a picture with 63 former players in attendance,
the north and south sides of the court were unveiled to read
“Nell and John Wooden Court” in blue paint on opposite
halves of the hardwood.
John Wooden was head coach at UCLA from 1948 to 1975, and led the
Bruins to 10 NCAA championships, still a national record. This
season marks the 40th anniversary of the Bruins’ first
national title, won in 1964.
To commemorate the occasion, the Bruin squad wore replica uniforms
of the 1964 team ““ all white with a yellow
“Bruins” emblazoned on the front.
But to the players in attendance, and those who know the Wizard of
Westwood’s legacy, know his record wasn’t why he is
still a common name on UCLA’s campus.
“My players learned I was concerned with what they’d do
after the game,” Wooden explained when prompted to discuss
the difference between his coaching philosophy and those of other
historic college basketball coaches. “I wanted them to know I
cared about them more than just a basketball coach. I think somehow
I was able to get that across in time.”
Former players in attendance explained the impact Wooden had on
their lives ““ both on and off the basketball court. Bill
Walton, who played for Wooden on two national championship teams
from 1972 to 1974, called playing under his guidance “the
ultimate celebration of life.” As Wooden passed by to attend
the second half of the game, Walton stopped him, shook his hand and
thanked him again for the impact he made on Walton’s
life.
“He is a timeless treasure,” Walton said. “I
learn more from Coach Wooden today than I ever did. This is a guy
who is so remarkable in his vision and sense of
perspective.”
That perspective, despite being 93 years old, is still as sharp as
ever.
Wooden repeated again and again that Saturday’s dedication
was not because of his own accomplishments, but those of his
players, and UCLA’s current team.
Former players, though, know better.
“I personally really appreciate it,” said Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, who played under Wooden from 1967 to 1969. “I
think we all take it for granted that Coach Wooden will be around
forever, but this is a 93-year-old man who has seen more days than
we can even consider.”
Wooden’s legacy, though, has not been forgotten among
students. During the second half, signs were held up throughout the
student section which read: “Thank you, Coach,” and
“Teacher, Coach, Legend.”
“Coach Wooden to this day has a new way of delivering the
message of dreams come true and how to make that happen,”
Walton said. “He is the perfect soul.”