1. June 9, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4275
Wooden was born in Hall, Indiana, and I want to begin by expressing my electricity, and money was often in
he attended Purdue University, where condolences on his passing to his fam- short supply. He played basketball
he played on the university’s basket- ily and the countless people whose with his brothers in a barn using a to-
ball team and where he was the first lives he touched. mato basket and a makeshift ball con-
player to be named a three-time All- John Wooden coached at UCLA when sisting of old rags. Later in life, he
American. Coach Wooden also played I was there earning my undergraduate would credit his success to the hard
professionally for the team that later and law school degrees. I was in my work and discipline he learned growing
became the Indianapolis Jets. In 1961, last year of law school when the Bruins up on the small family farm.
he was enshrined in the Basketball had their first perfect season under At the age of 14, his family moved to
Hall of Fame for his accomplishments Coach Wooden, a season that cul- the town of Martinsville, Indiana,
as a player. minated in a championship win over where he led the local high school bas-
Coach Wooden began his teaching ca- Duke. Everybody on campus was ketball team for 3 consecutive years,
reer at Dayton High School in Ken- thrilled. No one could have possibly winning the State championship in
tucky. After his service in World War imagined that this was only the begin- 1927. For his efforts, he was selected
II, Coach Wooden began coaching at In- ning of a historic run that will prob- three-time All-State.
diana Teachers College, now Indiana ably never be matched. After graduating high school in 1928,
State University. In 1984, Wooden was John Wooden would go on to coach John Wooden attended Purdue Univer-
inducted into the Indiana State Uni- the Bruins to an unprecedented 10 sity, where he helped the Boilermakers
versity Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1948, NCAA championships, including an in- as team captain to the 1932 national
Coach Wooden began his coaching ca- credible seven in a row, and a record championship. He was named All-Big
reer at UCLA. In 1 year, Coach Wooden four perfect seasons, which includes an Ten, All-Midwestern conference while
turned the 12–13 losing team to a 22–7 88-game win strike, from 1971 to 1974. at Purdue. He also was the first player
winning team. John Wooden retired The full list of records broken and ac- ever to be named three-time consensus
from UCLA and from coaching in 1975, colades earned is far too long to cover All-American guard.
here. His accomplishments have made His nickname was the ‘‘Indiana Rub-
but he left a legacy in his wake.
his name synonymous with ‘‘success,’’ ber Man’’ for his hard play on the bas-
Coach Wooden’s list of accomplish-
and it is unlikely that anyone will ever ketball court.
ments is long and impressive. He led When John Wooden graduated from
the UCLA men’s basketball team to 10 be able to match the accomplishments
Purdue in 1932, he began not only then
NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion- that he has achieved.
as a professional basketball player, but
ships, seven in consecutive years. He Incredibly, his coaching success was
then he sought teaching and coaching
made the most appearances in the never the most remarkable thing about
by accepting a job as an athletic direc-
Final Four, the most consecutive ap- him. What was the most remarkable
tor, a basketball coach, and English
pearances and the most victories in the was how he inspired people and moti-
teacher at Dayton High School in Day-
Final Four. He set the record for the vated them to excel, on the court and
ton, Kentucky. The first year at Day-
most consecutive wins at 88 games— off.
ton was Coach Wooden’s only losing
amazing—and won 38 straight victories As soon as a game started, it was
season as a high school coach.
in the NCAA tournament play. He also clear that he wasn’t your typical In 1934, Wooden and his wife, Nellie,
led UCLA to eight perfect Pac-8—now coach. Absent were the outbursts of then moved to South Bend, Indiana,
Pac-10—conference season champion- cursing so typical from other coaches. where he accepted another coaching
ships. Instead, Coach Wooden led with the and teaching position at South Bend
Coach John Wooden’s accomplish- calmness and poise of someone who Central High School. Overall, in 11
ments on the court are innumerable. knew he had prepared his players for years of coaching high school, his
Today, we honor him for his accom- anything they could face. record was an incredible 218 wins and
plishments, and it is a great privilege Basketball was just a means for only 42 losses.
to be here to honor this great man. Coach Wooden to influence his players In 1942, the United States entered
Coach Wooden was much more than a by instilling life lessons and the value World War II, and, like many others of
coach, for his accomplishments were of character. He relished the practice his generation, Coach Wooden an-
much greater as a person. Coach Wood- and the preparation far more than the swered the call to serve his country,
en will be much missed by his friends, games that brought him glory because serving as a lieutenant in the Navy as
by his family, by the universities in they provided him the opportunity to a physical education instructor.
which he served, also by the numerous teach. Hundreds of UCLA players at- After completing his military serv-
players, assistant coaches, ball boys, tribute so much of the success in their ice, John Wooden quickly found work
trainers, and others. Coach Wooden’s lives to the years they spent with John at what is now known as Indiana State
life was about others and not about Wooden. And he was most proud about University. He coached basketball at
himself, and I think, when the good that. the school and resumed his string of
Lord sees Coach Wooden, he is going to While Coach Wooden could never be winning seasons.
ask him how in the world he pulled off replaced, he will be remembered and In 1948, Coach Wooden then moved to
those 88 straight wins. celebrated for all time because of his UCLA that offered him the head coach-
I know one of the things I would like love of the game, his love for his play- ing position. And the rest is history, as
to do with my life is to leave it a little ers, and his love for his family. described by Mr. WAXMAN.
bit better than I found it, and I cer- John Wooden often said, ‘‘You can’t Coach Wooden will be remembered as
tainly know that Coach John Wooden live a perfect day until you do some- an exceptional basketball player, an
left it much better than he found it. I, thing for someone who will never be inspiring coach, and a mentor to many,
too, as a fan, will miss Coach—a job able to repay you.’’ Madam Speaker, many people. According to Bill Walton,
well done. Coach Wooden lived a lot of perfect UCLA’s three-time All-American cen-
I reserve the balance of my time. days. ter during the 1970s, ‘‘He taught us how
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam to focus on one primary objective: Be
b 1300 Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the hon- the best in whatever endeavor you un-
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speak- orable gentleman from Indiana (Mr. dertake. Don’t worry about the score.
er, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to BUYER). Don’t worry about the image. Don’t
the gentleman from California (Mr. Mr. BUYER. Likewise, I rise to honor worry about the opponent. It sounds
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with HOUSE
WAXMAN). and pay respects to the life and career easy, but it’s actually very difficult.’’
Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, it is of the distinguished Hoosier, Coach The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
with a heavy heart that I rise to honor John Wooden. time of the gentleman has expired.
the remarkable life and tremendous He was born October 14, 1910, in the Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield the
contributions of John Wooden, who small town of Hall, Indiana. Coach gentleman an additional minute.
passed away in Los Angeles last Fri- Wooden was raised on a family farm Mr. BUYER. ‘‘It sounds easy, but it’s
day. that had neither running water nor actually very difficult. Coach Wooden
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