June 5, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There is no doubt that John Wooden, who passed away Friday at the age of 99 in Los Angeles, left a legacy in college basketball that will likely never be matched. While his numerous accomplishments, including seven consecutive NCAA titles among his teams' 10 national championships at UCLA, are the benchmark for coaches in every sport, the values Wooden practiced and taught off the court were the most treasured gifts he passed on to so many.

"Coach Wooden had an incredible run of success at UCLA and his string of seven consecutive NCAA championships among UCLA's 10 national titles will never be equaled. Yet, as historic as these accomplishments are, the impact John Wooden had on humanity after he retired from coaching was even greater," said Jim Haney, executive director of National Association of Basketball Coaches and NABC Foundation. "Through the many books he authored and the tremendous number of speeches he gave annually over the last 30 years of his life, John Wooden touched the hearts of millions of individuals encouraging them to live better, more fulfilling lives. His presence will be missed but his legacy of life on and off the court will long endure."

Wooden, who was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the founding class in 2006, was the first person elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. Wooden was the first player to be named a three-time consensus All-America and led his Purdue University Boilermakers to the national championship in 1932.

"There is no doubt that John Wooden's impact on college basketball, or the game of basketball period, is second to none. From his "Pyramid of Success" to his incredible 10 NCAA championships, he has demonstrated the ability to teach, win, and achieve success the right way. I have no doubt that every basketball coach has studied or read the Wooden Way", said Tom Izzo, NABC president and head coach at Michigan State. "John Wooden and basketball are synonymous, and his love for the game, the players, and the coaches is unsurpassed. I have had the pleasure of meeting Coach Wooden, and his advice has helped to make me a better coach, and to all of those he has touched, a better person. The Wooden family is in our thoughts and prayers."

"We've lost a giant in all of sport with the passing of Coach Wooden. Quite likely, his accomplishments as a college basketball coach will never be matched. Neither will the impact he had on his players or the greater basketball community," said Mike Krzyzewski, head coach at Duke and president of the NABC Foundation. "Many have called Coach Wooden the `gold standard' of coaches. I believe he was the `gold standard' of people and carried himself with uncommon grace, dignity and humility. Coach Wooden's name is synonymous with excellence, and deservedly so. He was one of the great leaders - in any profession - of his generation. We are blessed that the sport of basketball benefitted from his talents for so long. Coach Wooden and his wisdom will be sorely missed."

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently claims nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.com.