(...this is what happens when you sit on a post. We were ready to run this last week - it was in the can, ready to go but it kind of got lost in the shuffle of some other stuff we wanted to get to and look what happened. UCLA winds up losing to arch-rival USC over the weekend. Our bad, Coach Howland. Sorry.)
Despite his 97 years, ex-UCLA coach and the greatest college basketball coach ever, John Wooden has been a regular at UCLA games since he retired over 30 years ago. And because of his legend and the model human being he is, his autograph has always been highly sought after by fans…. during the game. Story from L.A. Times, here.
Wooden’s family has requested, though, that the Wizard of Westwood be left in peace to watch the game without having to satisfy autograph requests. After having to sit through the games of the terminally hapless Steve Lavin-coached Bruins, we suppose that signing autographs for fans was a welcome diversion from being forced to watch the train-wreck out on the court. To a program that was chronically talented yet underachieving, Coach Ben Howland (Cerritos High School, ‘76) who came from the University of Pittsburgh 5 seasons ago, has brought a Big East grittiness and a quality of play that has resulted in two straight Final Four appearances and which we’re sure the Coach admires and appreciates. Now if all you autograph hounds would kindly take your seats, the Coach would like to take in some good hoops. Enjoy the games again, Coach!
Wooden’s family has requested, though, that the Wizard of Westwood be left in peace to watch the game without having to satisfy autograph requests. After having to sit through the games of the terminally hapless Steve Lavin-coached Bruins, we suppose that signing autographs for fans was a welcome diversion from being forced to watch the train-wreck out on the court. To a program that was chronically talented yet underachieving, Coach Ben Howland (Cerritos High School, ‘76) who came from the University of Pittsburgh 5 seasons ago, has brought a Big East grittiness and a quality of play that has resulted in two straight Final Four appearances and which we’re sure the Coach admires and appreciates. Now if all you autograph hounds would kindly take your seats, the Coach would like to take in some good hoops. Enjoy the games again, Coach!
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5 comments:
I'm all for Coach Wooden and whatever he wants to do.
That being said, I guess autograph signing wasn't an issue on Saturday for the SC game as UCLA apparently requested Wooden not attend the SC game (says various WeAreSC posters)due to an illegal contact controversy involving frosh phenom Love.
Now, I for one can't believe Wooden would be asked by UCLA to stay away. But in the absence of any other explanation as to why he wasn't there... smoke = fire. Here's hoping whatever it was has come and gone and that Coach Wooden takes his rightful spot courtside.
- Mongo
But if Love happened to be Wooden's great-great grandson, would the NCAA still consider that a recruiting violation?
Are you telling me that John Wooden has kin in The Beach Boys?
- Mongo
... and by extension has ties with Charles Manson??
West L.A. is so weird.
- Mongo
You think Wooden was able to sell Alcindor on just the weather alone? When did Wilt 20K show up? Right around the same time, if I'm not mistaken. You're turning all THAT down? And to think you Trojan fans were so after Sam Gilbert all these years.
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