With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
John Wooden Dead at 99
AP File Photo
John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, has died 6:45 pm at the age of 99 - five months short of his 100th birthday. Wooden was taken to the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in grave condition on Friday suffering from dehydration. The official cause of death has not been released. Born on October 14, 1910 in Hall, IN, Wooden was a three-time All-State high school basketball player in Indiana winning the state championship finals in 1927. He then went to Purdue University where he led the Boilermakers to a National Championship in 1932.
Wooden began his coaching career with Dayton High School in Kentucky in 1932 and had his first college job with Indiana Teacher’s College (now Indiana State University) in 1946.
Wooden then went on to UCLA in 1948 where he went on to win 10 National Championships and 19 conference titles until he retired in 1975. His focus on fundamentals made the Bruins a powerhouse when they ripped off an 88-game winning streak from 1971 to 1974. He was known for teaching each player how to put on their socks and shoes on the first day of practice every year.
Among those he coached were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (nee Lew Alcindor), Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, Gail Goodrich and Walt Hazzard.
Sponsored message
Wooden leaves behind a son, a daughter, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
