John Wooden
John Wooden
1948 NAIB National Runner-up (27-7); Compiled a 44-15 record for a 74.6 winning percentage in two seasons; 2012 NAIA 75th Anniversary All-Star Team honoree; coached the first black player to play in a collegiate national championship (Clarence Walker); famous for sticking to his morals by refusing to play in the 1947 NAIB National Championship because Clarence Walker wasn’t permitted to play (because of the color of his skin).
In March of 1948, Clarence Walker stepped onto the court at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, thus breaking the color barrier in collegiate basketball national championships; beyond the game, made a great contribution to the game and to the world with his Pyramid of Success; Leadership classes today use his material and words of wisdom and are modeled after his principals; went onto great fame at UCLA, winning 10 NCAA Division I National Championships, including seven in a row; won 88 straight games and 38 straight NCAA Tournament games. Voted by the Sporting News as America’s Coach of the Century, in any sport.