John Wooden
John Robert Wooden (b. October 14, 1910 near Martinsville, Indiana) is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (Class of 1960) and a coach (Class of 1975).
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 an All-American guard.
Wooden graduated 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.
After the War, Wooden coached at Indiana State University before taking the head coaching position at UCLA. At UCLA, Wooden gained lasting fame. He won 665 games and ten NCAA titles including 7 in a row from 1967 to 1973. He also had a record win streak of 88 games. In 1972, he received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award
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 2003, UCLA dedicated the court of 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.
John Wooden's Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
- 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.
