Wooden to decline future autograph requests

At today’s basketball news conference, UCLA Sports Information Director Marc Dellins conveyed a request to all fans attending games at Pauley Pavilion not to ask former Bruin coach John Wooden, now 97, for autographs.

Both UCLA and Wooden’s family asked for fans to "respect his privacy at the games" in the future and to allow him to be able to simply enjoy the games.

Given that the line that forms before each game for Wooden’s autograph is considerably longer than those for the adjacent concession stands, it’s an understandable request. Dellins indicated further that Wooden would not be signing any autographs at future games.

"I think it’s long overdue," said Bruin coach Ben Howland. "When he comes to a game, it would be nice if people respected the fact that he’s there to enjoy the game and not there to sign autographs. You understand [people's interest in autographs], there’s a living legend. I suggested that a year or two ago, that he’s got to have a little more protection there. He’s so great; he has a hard time saying no to anybody for anything."

Howland noted that Wooden had been absent from recent Bruin games due to schedule conflicts and to some recent illness.

John Wooden photo courtesy UCLA.

Comments

[Jon K.]

I met John Wooden briefly (three minutes, perhaps). In my brief experience, he was a wonderful, gentle, kind, wise man.

Greatest Bruin Ever.

GO BRUINS!

[Danny]

I think we are doing Coach Wooden a great disservice by declaring in the title "Wooden to decline future autograph requests". Really, it should say "Wooden to decline game time autograph requests"

I know that article titles lengths need to be short, but the current title implies an unwarranted arrogance. I got his autograph for my son once at Pauley Pavilion, and to my surprise, he held a little conversation with me, despite the long line. What class!

[blaisej]

It's about time this was done. Years ago, I saw the line and thought it was like kids lined up to see Santa Claus. The main difference was, these were mainly adults, and several of them had all manner of posters, books, balls, etc., that they wanted Coach Wooden to sign. It would be nice to think that most of the seekers were genuinely interested in a piece of living history, but the thought that most were tributaries to the e-Bay river was inescapable. Let the man alone. He's done enough, and has earned the right to watch the games in peace.

[Jim O]

John Wooden is a true definition of a legend. The poll question: who of local sports would I like to have dinner with??? Only 6% John Wooden??? The man is the ultimate example of who I would most like to emulate! A leader, organized, spiritual, who has lived 9 decades! Men like Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabar still speak of all he taught them! I honor the man and although I probably would never get the opportunity, I can think of no other living individual who I would rather have a "chat" with. God Bless John Wooden!