Hollywood, FL 6/6/2010 2:46:48 AM
News / Sports

Hall of Famer John Wooden Dies

Legendary UCLA Coach Passes Away at 99

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden has died at the age of 99. According to a report from the Associated Press, the university said that Wooden died of natural causes on Friday night at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he had been admitted on May 26 because of dehydration. "He has been, and always will be, the guiding light for our family," said his children, shortly after their father's death. "The love, guidance and support he has given us will never be forgotten. Our peace of mind at this time is knowing that he has gone to be with our mother, whom he has continued to love and cherish." Hall of Fame basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar said in a statement, "[Coach John Wooden] was more like a parent than a coach. He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian. We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over. He wouldn't let us do that." Early Saturday, President Barack Obama said, "the way [Wooden] achieved all that success -- with modesty, and humility, and by wholeheartedly dedicating his life to the betterment of others. Even after he became one of the game's early heroes, he worked as a high school teacher. And for the rest of his life, on and off the court, he never stopped teaching. He never stopped preparing his players, and everyone he met, to be their best."

Wooden, who was the first person ever to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, will definitely be remembered by sports fans everywhere. Born in 1910, this Indiana native is arguably the greatest basketball coach of all time. In 27 seasons of coaching the UCLA Bruins, Wooden won 620 games, including 88 straight games during one of the most legendary win streaks in all of sports. He also recorded four perfect 30-0 seasons. Most notably, Wooden led the Bruins to 10 NCAA championship titles in a span of 12 years from 1963 to 1975, an incredible feat that has yet to be matched. For his amazing and consistent ability to coach his team to victory, he was awarded the Henry Iba award for best college basketball coach a total of seven times (1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973). In 1961, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he was a member of the founding class of the College Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2009, The Sporting News called Wooden the "Greatest Coach of All Time."  As UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero puts it, "There will never be another John Wooden."

Would you like to own a piece of authentic John Wooden memorabilia? With a signed photo or autographed basketball memorabilia item, you can forever remember and cherish the amazing accomplishments of this legendary basketball coach. We offer John Wooden signed photos, John Wooden autographs, John Wooden collectibles, and much more. Like all autographed memorabilia from Hollywood Collectibles, each piece of signed John Wooden memorabilia comes with a certificate of authenticity. These signed memorabilia items would be great additions to any basketball or NCAA memorabilia collection. They would also make great gifts for Father's Day, which is fast approaching (Visit our site today to take advantage of our special Father's Day 15% off sale).

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