Things I learned about John Wooden today (RIP)

3 time all-state H.S. basketball player

1st player ever to be a 3 time first team All American (at Purdue.)

After basketball, he taught high school english, coached high school basketball to a 218-42 record

Enlisted in the Navy in 1942

As the coach of Indiana State he refused to accept an invitation to play in the NAIB tournament because the tournament refused to allow black players. While at Indiana State he also coached baseball, served as the AD, a teacher, and earned his masters in Education.

Turned down the head coaching job-in waiting at Purdue because it would have made his old coach a lame duck coach.

Wrote a letter to his late wife the 21st of every month, the day she passed - 24 years ago.

He never made more than $35K/year (not including money from camps)


He was one hell of coach, and a better man.

RIP John Wooden, one of a kind.