John Wooden - A Day to Celebrate

Larry Bird Statement on Death of John Wooden
Pacers release
6/5/2010


Larry Bird statement on the passing of John Wooden:
"John Wooden, basketball, Indiana. One doesn't go without the others. His contributions to the game, both for the State of Indiana and on a national level, are unmatched. We at Pacers Sports & Entertainment have been, and are, quite proud to have a game or games every year in Conseco Fieldhouse that carry his name along with the word Tradition, a great tribute to a great man. This is a loss for all basketball fans, but in particular for those of us who grew up in Indiana with the legacy Mr. Wooden left us. Our sincere condolences go to the Wooden family."

I will forever cherish my time spent talking to Coach Wooden....the original Indiana LEGEND!

tweeted Coach Lin Dunn

In the pregame, I had a chance to sit with Coach Dunn for a moment, she said

First of all, the fact that he's from Indiana and is a Purdue Boilermaker makes it even more special to me with my ties to Purdue and my ties to Indiana to have an opportunity on several occasions to be at events where he spoke or clinics he did and of course I had opportunity to interact with him. I think historically I don't know that we have a finer person as well as a teacher, a coach, a gentleman, a father, a grandfather. He was the whole package.

And you knew he couldn't live forever. So I think it's a sad day, but also kind of a day to celebrate. It's a day to celebrate all that he's given everyone, not just in the world of sports but also with some of his books on life lessons and those types of things. I think he's going to be treasured and remembered forever.

It's a sad day, but a day to celebrate a wonderful life.