Sports News Southwest

Los Angeles, California - The following tributes to John Wooden are from friends, colleagues, former players and others:

UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero: There will never be another John Wooden. While this is a huge loss for the Bruin family, Coach Wooden's influence reaches far beyond Westwood. Coach was a tremendously significant figure, and this loss will be felt by individuals from all parts of society.

He was not only the greatest coach in the history of any sport, but he was an exceptional individual that transcended the sporting world, and his enduring legacy as a role model is one we should all strive to emulate.

I can still recall my first interactions with Coach Wooden when I was a member of the UCLA baseball team and he was in the midst of his incredible run of championships. While attending those basketball games was certainly a highlight for me, what stands out even more was Coach making the effort to come to our baseball games to cheer for us, and what a special feeling that was for our team. Since then, I have had the unique opportunity to develop a close personal relationship with Coach Wooden over the years, and that's something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Not only did Coach Wooden impact the lives of his own players, he impacted the lives of generations of UCLA student-athletes. To watch him come to one of our functions and interact with current student-athletes who were born well after his retirement as a coach was a thrill to behold. He had the knack of bridging the generation gap and was the most humble person you could ever hope to meet. He is, without a doubt, one of the most historic figures of the last century and has left an indelible mark on our world. He is, as Bill Walton once said, a national treasure, and he will be remembered as such forever.

UCLA men's head basketball coach Ben Howland: The loss of John Wooden saddens the UCLA community and beyond. Coach Wooden, in life and in death, is and always will be the UCLA Men's Basketball Head Coach. His basketball successes and championships were an element of his magnificent, far-reaching life.

Coach Wooden's timeless teachings, philosophies and "Pyramid of Success" not only influenced the lives of his players but the lives of millions of people around the world. Friendship, loyalty, team spirit and competitive greatness are not just building blocks in his "Pyramid of Success" — it's how Coach Wooden led his own life and taught others to live. Always the teacher and mentor, throughout his life, Coach Wooden was so giving of himself and his time to everyone.

Coach Wooden was a wonderful person and great friend who is truly a national treasure. His legacy and legend will continue to live on in each of us striving to be the "best that we are capable of becoming" as athletes, coaches, teachers, parents and human beings.

Former UCLA basketball player Jamaal Wilkes: To be recruited by and play basketball for Coach Wooden at UCLA was an honor and opportunity I'll always cherish. He made a shy and skinny young man with a different-looking jump shot into a 12-year NBA champion and All-Star with his fundamental coaching. He made certain the start and release of my jump shot was sound and allowed me to be different. He instilled in me the belief and confidence to be a champion.

Over the years, our coach-player relationship grew into a life-mentoring relationship, and then into a friendship. Coach was always there during the up and down times for me and my family, especially the down times. He had a knack for saying what I needed to hear at the right time about anything. Coach would say things that stuck with me and I'd think about. Coach was fun and had a great sense of humor.

Coach Wooden is now teaching basketball and life fundamentals in a much bigger Pavilion. Dr. Naismith may have invented the game of basketball, but Coach Wooden will coach the team when they meet in Heaven. He's still in charge of practice, asking you be the best you can be on and off the court, and winning championships, eternally.

I love him, my family loves him, we'll miss him dearly, and we'll always be grateful he cared and touched our lives.

Former UCLA basketball player John Vallely: Coach Wooden was an even greater coach in the game of life. His "Pyramid of Success" led me to be a better husband, father, businessman and coach. He was a mentor and confidant for most of the important decisions in my life. My wife, Karen, and I shall miss him dearly.

Former UCLA basketball player Lynn Shackelford: Little did I know when I started playing basketball under John Wooden that I would be receiving not just the best in basketball instruction but, in addition, a path to an honest and honorable way to live for a lifetime."

Being a part of 12 of the pre-game talks in an unequalled 38 consecutive NCAA tournament games won, never once did John Wooden discuss or implore us to win. It was always "Do your best, conduct yourself like a winner and play as a team." Can you imagine the pleasure over the years of realizing how special that was?

Former UCLA basketball player and author Andy Hill: John Wooden was a great coach, but he was an even better person. He taught us how to learn ... and then he taught us how to teach and lead others. He taught us to work together and compete ... and then he taught us how to be humble in victory. He taught us that our family and friends were our greatest gift ... and then his life showed us how to make that dream come true. Though my heart aches at the thought of his absence, he will never leave us ... because his teachings are timeless and his lessons priceless.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Coach Wooden was more than a Hall of Fame basketball player and coach; he was an incredible man whose dedication and leadership on the court inspired generations of Californians. He meant so much to Los Angeles, California and the entire basketball community around the world. Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones as they remember the extraordinary life of this coaching legend.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavky: UCLA and Los Angeles have lost an icon, and our nation has lost one of its greatest citizens. Coach John Wooden is gone, but his legend lives on. The collective loss we feel is tempered by the privilege we all had to have lived in his presence.

John Wooden was a principled man of unparalleled integrity. His intellect, discipline and faith served him well through his 100 years of life. Even as he was hampered by physical ailments, his mind was as keen as ever. He was as conversant with Shakespeare and the Bible as he was with basketball. He could and did quote poetry and biblical verse from memory until his dying day. He was uncommonly generous with his time and celebrity, rarely turning down a request from a worthy cause and never refusing to sign an autograph.

I first met Coach Wooden as a student at UCLA, but I didn't get to really know him until many years later. I consider it one of the greatest blessings of my life that I was able to share some quality time with him over the years. He was as great a teacher and life coach as I've ever met and, like so many others, I am the better for it.

My heart goes out to Coach Wooden's children, Nan and Jim, and to the rest of the Wooden family. We are grateful to you for sharing your father with us for all these years. He was an incredible human being, the likes of which will not pass our way again. May God rest his soul.

Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archdiocese of Los Angeles: You need not be a sports fan to mourn the passing of John Wooden. Coach Wooden took the self-sacrifice and teamwork required to be successful in basketball and modeled them into a paradigm for life. Through basketball, he taught generations of players and fans the values of love, friendship, responsibility and humility. "Make friendship a true art" and "Give thanks for your blessings and ask for guidance every day" were among his favorite maxims. I give thanks to God for the life and wisdom of John Wooden. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim: When I think of a basketball coach the only one I ever thought of was Coach Wooden. He had a great life and helped so many coaches until well in his 90s. Every time I talked to him he would give me some words of advice. He's the best of all time. There will never be another like him and you can't say that about too many people. It's a sad day but he had such an unbelievable run. I can't tell you what he's done for game of basketball and it's not just the wins. It's the attitude and the way he carried himself. I just can't say enough about him.

University of Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan: John Wooden was a great coach and a great man. He was a man of humility who embodied the best in character and values, and exemplified what coaching is all about. I was fortunate enough to be honored with the Wooden Award in April, an award that now takes on added significance to me personally. I found out that I was being honored on his 99th birthday. To have the opportunity to go out to Los Angeles and see firsthand how great an impact he still has is something I will always be honored and humbled to be a part of. His legacy will endure forever.

Steve Lavin, former UCLA basketball coach, current coach of St. John's: Coach Wooden leaves all of us a lasting legacy from a lifetime devoted to goodness. Coach believed the court was his classroom and basketball was a metaphor for life. He was an eternal learner and teacher. He was the best friend and mentor one could hope for and it is difficult to imagine a college basketball season without John Wooden being with us.

Kentucky University basketball coach John Calipari: [Wooden was] one of the greatest coaches in any sport. He did it without being a bully and the players at the time probably struggled with the structure but when they left, there was a burning love for him. He is what this game is all about. When you talk about how he taught, how he was with his late wife. You talk about his character as a person. That's what he was about.

Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski: My memories - just the fact he always treated me with grace and respect, which he didn't have to do. I enjoyed my relationship with Coach Wooden because he was always so free sharing his wisdom - and not just on college basketball.

Tennessee University women's basketball coach Pat Summitt: The takeaways we all have been blessed with from knowing John Wooden are numerous. For all of his successes, he was such a humble man. Tonight, we have lost a true American icon.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa: I never met him. Meeting him was on the bucket list. Came close a couple times, but never did meet him. Obviously, I've read everything about him, so just being selfish and personal, I have regret that I never had an in-person meeting with him. Amazing life.

Erin Andrews, ESPN sportscaster: Rest in Peace Coach Wooden. I'm honored to have met you, & will someday tell my kids abt the advice you gave me. I will never forget it.

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