Wendy Sherman: “it is fitting as we have concluded March Madness, the NCAA Championship playoff for men's basketball, that we reflect…”

“it is fitting as we have concluded March Madness, the NCAA Championship playoff for men's basketball, that we reflect upon the great success of a man I think is the greatest coach of all time in any sport. That is the Wizard of Westwood, Coach John Wooden, a man who meant so much to basketball players, fans, to sport in general, to our society, and especially to us in his home area, the San Fernando Valley. I attended UCLA and graduated in 1975. I was there for 3 years. And in just my 3 years, I saw in the 1972-1973 season a 30-0 record, National Championship, and Coach John Wooden named Coach of the Year. Then in my next year at UCLA, Coach John Wooden achieved a record of 26-4, reached the semi-finals in the national tournament, and coached the great Bill Walton in his final season. And then finally, not in Bill Walton's final season, but in Coach John Wooden's final season at UCLA, 1974-1975, a record of 28-3, and a National Championship. What a way to end a coaching career; a coaching career that included ten National Championships. Now, as the gentleman pointed out, Coach John Wooden was hospitalized just a few days ago. He watched the UCLA team come in second in the nation from his hospital bed. But I am pleased to report that he is to be discharged from the hospital today and has been given a basically clean bill of health.…”