John Wooden is considered by many to be the greatest Basketball coach in American sports history. He was an award winning player and propelled the schools he taught at to many championship wins. After retiring from coaching he became a motivational speaker in great demand on the lecture circuit. On June 3rd, 2010 John Wooden was reported to be in "grave condition" and hopsitalized, and it was later reported he had past away at the age of 99 on June 4th, 2010.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2012035468_wooden05.html

Born on Oct. 14, 1910 in Hall, Indiana. Wooden got started playing basketball using a ball constructed by his mother and made of black cotton hose stuffed with rags and sewed together. His goal was a tomato basket with the bottom knocked out and nailed to one end of a hayloft. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

He attended high school at Martinsville, Indiana where he his team won the 1927 championship and he made the All-State Team all three years. After high school he attended Purdue University where he became Captain of his team and won many honors including becoming a three time All-American. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

After he graduated college he played professional basketball for seven years joined 3 different teams in 3 different leagues. At the time the pay for professional players was not expansive and players had to hold another job in addition to playing. Wooden taught high school during this time and also coached high school basketball. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

After the attack at Pearl Harbor he joined the Navy and served for four years during which time he was promoted to Lieutenant. After his term in the military Wooden was hired by the Indiana State Teachers College (currently known as Indiana State University) . During his first season as coach the team received a berth in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament, but he turned it down as one of his players, Clarence Walker, was an African-American and as such was not allowed to compete. When the team repeated its performance the following season the conference had changed its rules so Walker became the first Black player to play in the NAIA tournament. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

After his 2 successful years at Indiana State Wooden was offered the job at UCLA and in the first four seasons that he coached the Bruins they won the Pacific Coast Conference championship every year. Winning became a sort of touch and go thing as over the next few years they won only slightly more than they lost but in Wooden’s 15th year as coach the Bruins won their first national championship. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

During his career at UCLA almost all of his players graduated, several had careers as professional basketball players and most had successful careers outside of basketball. He always showed respect to both players and referees and in his entire career had only two technical fouls and claims one was a mistake as someomne near him used a profanity and the ref thought it was him. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

He has continued to be active after his retirement from coaching by speaking at many military corporate, and sports meetings expounding on his methods for success. http://www.nndb.com/people/312/000028228/

• 1932: National Championship as a player (Purdue)

• 1964: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1965: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1967: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1968: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1969: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1970: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1971: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1972: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1973: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)

• 1975: NCAA National Championship (UCLA)