<p>Truly a legend...</p>
<p>The man was unbelievable. He IS UCLA.</p>
<p>I guess walking into the gym for the first time as a Freshman will be just THAT tad more epic. :)</p>
<p>The man defined the term “classy coach”.</p>
<p>What an amazing person he was.</p>
<p>[John</a> Wooden dies at 99; UCLA basketball coach won 10 national titles - latimes.com](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,409375.story]John”>John Wooden dies at 99; UCLA basketball coach won 10 national titles)</p>
<p>He was perhaps the greatest coach ever. He’ll be terribly miss. As Pat Summitt said, he truly is an American Icon</p>
<p>John Wooden has done the greatest job representing any school let alone UCLA. To pay its respects to the Wizard of Westwood, UCLA should do its best to represent what John Wooden embodied</p>
<p>I wrote him on my 10 birthday. He sent me his pyramid of success and autographed it to me telling me to keep following Christ. Dude was so honorable.</p>
<p>He will forever be in our hearts and in our minds. I was lucky enough to have seen a game during the Wooden Years – one of the last, as it was.</p>
<p>As Tennyson said: The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, [
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.</p>
<p>He will never see completed renovation of Pauley Pavilion in which he had an honorary chair. Long live John Wooden.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m on the side who wants to demolish the ugly chunk of concrete and build a new stadium over it. It’ll save the university millions and look a whole lot better. We could even name it the “John Wooden” Stadium. It’s more fitting that the basketball court be named after a coach than an oil baron. They could slap Pauley’s name on the Humanities building or they could remove his presence from the university altogether. Who cares about a former University of California Regent anyways?</p>
<p>A few links
[John</a> Wooden dies at 99; UCLA basketball coach won 10 national titles - latimes.com](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,6479070,full.story]John”>http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,6479070,full.story)
[John</a> Wooden, 99, Legendary U.C.L.A. Coach, Dies - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com](<a href=“John Wooden, 99, Legendary U.C.L.A. Coach, Dies - The New York Times”>John Wooden, 99, Legendary U.C.L.A. Coach, Dies - The New York Times)
[John</a> Wooden’s life was a love letter - latimes.com](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0605-wooden-simers-20100605,0,4146100,full.column]John”>http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0605-wooden-simers-20100605,0,4146100,full.column)
[Coach</a> John Wooden’s lasting lesson is one of simple devotion - latimes.com](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0605-wooden-plaschke-20100605,0,1091228,full.column]Coach”>http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0605-wooden-plaschke-20100605,0,1091228,full.column)
[Legendary</a> John Wooden dead at 99 - College Basketball - Rivals.com](<a href=“http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ys-woodenobit060410]Legendary”>http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ys-woodenobit060410)
[John</a> Wooden Spotlight](<a href=“http://www.spotlight.ucla.edu/john-wooden/]John”>http://www.spotlight.ucla.edu/john-wooden/)
[UCLA</a> Bruins Athletics - Official Athletic Site](<a href=“http://www.uclabruins.com/]UCLA”>http://www.uclabruins.com/)
[Vin</a> Scully announces passing of John Wooden to crowd at Dodger Stadium / UCLA Newsroom](<a href=“http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/vin-scully-announces-passing-of-159690.aspx]Vin”>Newsroom | UCLA)
[Video</a> / UCLA Newsroom](<a href=“Video + Audio | UCLA”>Video + Audio | UCLA)</p>
<p>It was pretty amazing being at Dodger Stadium and seeing so many people get to their feet as Vin Scully made the announcement. I can’t think of anything more fitting than having Vinny bear the news.</p>
<p>A message from Chancellor Block to the Bruin Family:</p>
<p>To the Bruin Family: </p>
<p>With the passing of John Wooden, we have lost a true giant and a gentleman, an individual who was perhaps more closely identified with UCLA than any other person in our universitys history. Coach Wooden was an unparalleled motivator and an inspiration to people throughout the world. Those of us who were fortunate enough to meet him will forever be touched by his unfailing wisdom and generous spirit. </p>
<p>Coach Woodens record of hundreds of victories and 10 national titles established a gold standard of achievement in college athletics. Both on the court and off, he was a teacher, role model and mentor who guided his players and generations of UCLA coaches and student-athletes to become champions in life. His lasting influence has extended far beyond the campus to include leaders in academia, business and government. </p>
<p>The renowned Wooden Pyramid of Successa copy of which hangs in my officeencourages us all to value cooperation, loyalty and team spirit. The Pyramid remains one of the most recognized blueprints for competitive excellence, in any pursuit. </p>
<p>Coach Wooden and his beloved wife, Nell, were treasured members of the UCLA family, and the Nell and John Wooden Court at Pauley Pavilion is a lasting testament to their place in our hearts. </p>
<p>John Woodens remarkable legacy will stand forever at UCLA. Today, as we mourn his loss, we also extend our deepest sympathy to his daughter, Nan, his son, James, and his entire family. </p>
<p>The university flag in front of Pauley Pavilion will be lowered to half-staff, and a public memorial is being planned. Please visit the UCLA homepage for further information, as well as links to news articles and remembrances of Coach Wooden. </p>
<p>Sincerely, </p>
<p>Gene D. Block
Chancellor</p>