Happy Birthday wishes go out to John Wooden who turns 99 years old today. Coach Wooden is probably best known as the coach of the U.C.L.A. men's basketball team that won 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons. Coach Wooden was married to his wife Nell for 53 years, until her death from cancer in 1985. Coach Wooden says on his website, " Nell and I were sweet hearts for almost 60 years." Coach Wooden and Nelly had two children, a son and a daughter. There are eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Coach Wooden was born in Hall, Indiana in 1910!! John Wooden the basketball player was the star guard for Martinsville H.S. where he led the team to three consecutive state championship finals, winning it all in 1927. Wooden was a three-time All-State selection.

John Wooden attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he was a three-time consensus All-American and led the Boilermakers to the NCAA national championship in 1932.


After graduating from Purdue, John Wooden played professional basketball in the old Professional Basketball League. During one 46-game stretch he made 134 straight free throws. While playing professionally, Wooden was also teaching and coaching at a local high school and studying for his Master's Degree.

John Wooden the student graduated from Purdue University in 1932 with a degree in English. He later earned his Master's Degree at the Indiana State Teacher's College.

John Wooden the coach, coached Indiana State University for two seasons winning the conference championship both years. Coach Wooden refused an invitation to the NAIB tournament the first year because the NAIB had a policy that banned African American players from competing. Coach Wooden had an African American on his team and refused to compete without his entire team. The policy was changed because of his actions.


John Wooden started coaching at U.C.L.A. in 1948. His teams won 664 games in 27 seasons including winning 88 straight games and 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons. He coached such stars as Lew Alcindor, aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Reggie Miller, and ex-Dodger Jackie Robinson.

I have long been a U.C.L.A. basketball fan. I remember coming home and watching U.C.L.A. basketball games on tape-delay at 11:00 pm on Chanel 11. I watched Lew Alcindor and all the others thru the years win night after night. I remember when their 88 game win streak was broken in a game against their arch rival Notre Dame. I remember Coach Wooden always held a program rolled up in his hands during the game and I remember that he never got mad. And as always, Dick Enberg with the call.
Coach Wooden has written several books including, "They Call Me Coach" and "A Game Plan for Life." Coach Wooden believed in a seven point creed given to him by his father. The seven points were;

Be true to yourself.

Make each day your masterpiece.

Help others.

Drink deeply from the good books, especially the Bible.

Make friendship a fine art.

Build a shelter against a rainy day.

Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Coach Wooden still comes to the U.C.L.A. basketball games at Pauley Pavilion. He has his own seat near the corner and still signs autographs for about an hour before each game. I understand he is in poor health and in a wheel chair now. The wheel of life turns for all of us and his season will to come too an end. But what a man. A man to look up to in so many ways.

Happy Birthday Coach Wooden. You impacted my life.