April 16, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Former UCLA coach John Wooden’s 104th birthday anniversary commemorated

Steve Alford marked Tuesday’s 104th anniversary of the birth of John Wooden by having breakfast at the Tarzana restaurant frequented by his late legendary predecessor as UCLA men’s basketball coach for the second consecutive year.

Alford was joined by Wooden’s family members, including his daughter, Nan Wooden Muehlhausen, at Vip’s Cafe in celebrating the anniversary of the coach known as “The Wizard of Westwood.”

Wooden coached UCLA from 1948 to 1975, guiding the team to 10 NCAA championships in his final 12 seasons, including a record seven in a row from 1967 to 1973. The Bruins won 88 consecutive games from 1971 to 1974 and 38 consecutive NCAA tournament games from 1964 to 1974, both records.

The record Wooden said he was the most proud of were UCLA’s 19 conference championships.

Along with his coaching record, Wooden was known for the values he espoused and for integrity. He had three rules for his players — don’t use profanity, be on time and never criticize a teammate.

Wooden was born Oct. 14, 1910, in Hall, Ind., moving with his family to a small farm in Centerton, Ind., in 1918 and then to Martinsville, Ind., when he was 14. He helped lead Martinsville High School to Indiana’s state championship finals three consecutive years and the state championship in 1927.

Wooden was a three-time All-American and helped lead Purdue to two Big Ten championships and the 1932 national championship.

He began his coaching career in 1932 at Dayton (Ky.) High School, spending two years there, coaching a variety of sports. He spent the next nine years at South Bend (Ind.) Central High School, coaching basketball, baseball and tennis and teaching English.

Wooden served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. He resumed his coaching career at Indiana State Teacher’s College, now Indiana State University, coaching basketball and baseball and serving as athletic director for two years.

In 1948, Wooden was offered coaching positions by both UCLA and Minnesota. He was prepared to accept the offer from Minnesota, but when a Minnesota official failed to call by a stipulated deadline, Wooden accepted UCLA’s offer.

The Minnesota official called minutes later, explaining he had had trouble getting to a telephone because of a snowstorm and that the school still wanted to hire him. But Wooden refused to break the promise he had made to UCLA minutes earlier.

Wooden’s long list of honors includes the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, being named by ESPN as the greatest coach of the 20th century, and having a post office and high school in Reseda named for him.

Wooden also was the first person selected for the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. He died in 2010 at the age of 99.

Wooden “had a positive and lasting impact on this entire campus, on the greater community off campus and on millions of people around the country, indeed around the world,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in 2012 at the unveiling of a statue of Wooden outside Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins’ home court since 1965.

Tags: , in News
Related Posts

Jack Black Confronts ‘Minecraft’ Mayhem with Surprise Theater Appearance

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Black’s Surprise Appearance Follows a Week of Wild Audience Behavior Actor Jack Black unexpectedly appeared at an AMC Century City...

Mental Health Workers Conclude Hunger Strike Amid Six-Month Labor Dispute

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Strikers Receive Support from Rock Star and WeHo City Councilmember Eight mental health care workers ended their five-day hunger strike...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...

Westwood Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Dead, Driver Still at Large

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Driver of Car That Fled the Scene Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West...

‘Bleak Week’ Film Festival Goes Global, Expanding to 8 Cities Including London

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

American Cinematheque’s Celebration of Despair in Cinema Draws Big-Name Guests American Cinematheque’s popular film festival Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair...

Facing Major Budget Cuts, L.A. City Councilmember Opens Public Forums

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Budget Chair Opens Floor to Residents on City Spending Priorities With the City of Los Angeles facing its most severe...

Oscar Winner Helen Hunt Puts Former Greta Garbo Home on the Market

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Actress Is Saying Goodbye to Her Classic Brentwood Estate Actress Helen Hunt is parting ways with her longtime Brentwood Park...

Graphic Courtroom Photo Spurs Backlash as Menendez Hearings Move Ahead

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Judge Denies DA’s Motion, Menendez Resentencing to Proceed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic ruled Friday that the resentencing...

Attempted Strong Arm Robbery at UCLA Prompts Police Investigation

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Man Wearing Blue Blanket Targeted Employee in Broad Daylight The UCLA Police Department is investigating an attempted strong-arm robbery that...

Governor Newsom Announces Accelerated Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Crews Working 24/7 to Clear Debris as Summer Travel Season Nears California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Saturday a fast-tracked...

Santa Monica Police Seek Owner of Pit Bull After Fatal Dog Attack

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Toy Poodle Killed, Owner Bitten, Video Released by SMPD Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the owner...

Los Angeles Public Health to Address Long Covid in Free Virtual Town Hall

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Experts From UCLA and LA. Public Health Join Forces to Share Insights The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health...

Rebuild Stronger with Build Strong – We’re With You Every Step of the Way

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

Build Strong is here to guide you through each step of the rebuilding process, from filing insurance claims to restoring...

“Field Day” Delivers Joy to Students Displaced by Palisades Fire at Brentwood Elementary

April 13, 2025

April 13, 2025

Event Celebrates Resilience and Community for Brentwood and Palisades Students For students recently displaced by the devastating Palisades Fire, a...

Los Angeles City Planning Greenlights Major Westside Residential Development

April 13, 2025

April 13, 2025

State Density Bonuses, Updated Zoning Laws Help Expand Scope of Project Plans for a large apartment complex are moving forward...