Video of Congressman Sherman in Action
Former UCLA basketball coach and long-time Valley resident John Wooden is a living legend whose record-smashing accomplishments on the basketball court and inspirational leadership throughout his life have won him many accolades.
He mastered what he called, in the title of one of his many books, the Pyramid of Success. He also mastered what he considered the two most important things in his life; a long and loving marriage to his wife, Nell, and a deep devotion to his faith.
His athletic genius is recognized in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., where the sport was invented. But because he also has been a neighbor of ours here in the San Fernando Valley for three decades, I wanted to find a way to honor him here at home, where his family and friends know him best.
It literally took an act of Congress, but we were successful in passing legislation naming the post office in Reseda in honor of Coach Wooden. Naming buildings is a way the federal government honors outstanding achievement. The legislation I introduced last December passed the House in April, cleared the Senate in August and was signed into law by President Bush. Believe it or not, that pace is the legislative equivalent of a fast break.
I wanted to name the post office for Coach Wooden because of all he means to sports fans and Valley residents. However, as a welcome bonus, the Postal Service began a major renovation of the Reseda facility after I introduced the legislation. The improvements include exterior and interior paint, new signs, refurbishing the lobbies, fresh coats of paint on the familiar red and blue mail boxes, removal of newspaper vending machines and façade improvements so the post office could be proud of the facility. The Postal Service will also unveil a plaque and display case honoring Coach Wooden’s career. The improvements match revitalization work occurring all along Reseda Boulevard.
We thought it would be a fitting tribute to officially rededicate the post office on the coach’s 96th birthday on October 14.
Coach Wooden is a man who has meant so much to basketball players, fans, to sports in general, and especially to those of us who have been his neighbors in the San Fernando Valley for three decades.
Coach Wooden’s leadership was not just on the court. He inspired so many by his testament to leadership, to success, to dedication, and to sportsmanship.
Wooden lives in Encino, but the post office there was named in 2002 for the late Los Angeles Lakers sportscaster Chick Hearn, who died suddenly on August 5, 2002. Coach Wooden’s daughter, Nancy Muehlhausen, lives in Reseda and thought it would be a fitting honor if we named the post office in Reseda the Coach John Wooden Post Office. This post office will be the only federal facility in the Valley named after Coach Wooden.
The coach has truly been a part of our Valley community. His favorite breakfast hangout is VIP's in Encino. The condominium that has been his home for 30 years is located just off the Ventura Freeway. He has been honored by the Valley’s own Walk of Hearts for his work as an outstanding educator.
There is no disputing Coach Wooden’s place in sports history.
The coach, who retired in 1975, led the Bruins to 10 national titles, including seven in a row. Before he became the most successful coach in college basketball history, he was a standout player for Purdue University and led the Boilermakers to a national championship in 1932. He is one of only three people enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Under Wooden’s guidance, the Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, and 20 Pac-10 championships.
As a UCLA student during the Wooden era, as a fan who rooted his teams to national championships, and one of thousands of people who has been inspired by the coach’s teachings and his example, I am proud to play a part in honoring and recognizing Coach Wooden.
