The bronze statue of John Wooden, dedicated on September 24, 2016, stands proudly in the Sally & Bob Weist Plaza, near Mackey Arena’s northwest entrance, a testament to his enduring connection with Purdue University. While John Wooden is globally recognized for his unparalleled success as the UCLA Bruins head coach, his journey to basketball immortality began on the courts of Purdue University, where he first shone as a student-athlete.
Under the mentorship of coach Ward “Piggy” Lambert, whom Wooden consistently acknowledged as the most influential figure in his basketball career, he blossomed into a three-time All-American. In 1932, Wooden’s exceptional talent earned him the title of National Player of the Year. During his senior year, he averaged 12.2 points per game, leading the Purdue Boilermakers to an impressive 17-1 season and a Big Ten Championship title. The Helms Athletic Foundation subsequently recognized Purdue as national champions that year. These formative years at Purdue laid the groundwork for Wooden’s future triumphs.
After his stellar playing career, Wooden transitioned into coaching, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of collegiate basketball at UCLA from 1948 to 1975. His tenure with the Bruins was nothing short of legendary, marked by an extraordinary 620-147 record and an astounding .808 winning percentage. Under his guidance, UCLA secured an unprecedented 10 national championships, including an unmatched streak of seven consecutive titles from 1966 to 1973, and claimed 19 Pac-10 Conference championships. The Bruins also achieved remarkable winning streaks, including 88 consecutive games and 38 NCAA Tournament victories, records that remain benchmarks of excellence in college basketball.
Despite his UCLA fame, Wooden, a native of Martinsville, Indiana, never forgot his roots. He remains one of only three individuals enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (1961) and a coach (1973), an elite group that includes Bill Sharman and Lenny Wilkens. Known for his humility and integrity, John Wooden, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 99, was revered for his exceptional moral character and leadership principles, encapsulated in his famous Pyramid of Success.
The statue at Purdue was made possible by a generous gift from alumnus Jim Hicks. Designed by Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, it portrays Wooden in his Purdue playing days, a fitting tribute to his Boilermaker beginnings. Hicks, a 1961 Purdue graduate, and his wife, Neta, contributed $2 million to establish the Jim and Neta Hicks Endowment for Leadership in Agriculture, with a portion dedicated to funding the John Wooden statue.
Behind the statue, visitors can see Wooden’s iconic Pyramid of Success, visually representing the character qualities he championed. According to Hicks, despite Wooden’s UCLA fame, his Purdue legacy was remembered by many “old-timers” when Hicks arrived at Purdue in 1957. Hicks emphasized his delight that the statue and Pyramid of Success would remind people of Wooden’s significant contributions beyond basketball.
Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture, highlighted Jim Hicks’ long-standing friendship and commitment to Purdue students. He noted the fitting nature of Hicks, a leader of character, funding a statue for John Wooden, another extraordinary Boilermaker leader and man of character.
Purdue University’s commitment to Wooden’s leadership principles is further solidified by the establishment of the John R. Wooden Leadership Institute in 2009 by the Purdue Athletics Department. This institute aims to develop leadership skills in Boilermaker student-athletes, utilizing resources like the Pyramid of Success and speaker series that delve into Wooden’s 15 building blocks for a fulfilling life. This initiative ensures that John Wooden’s Purdue legacy continues to inspire future generations of leaders both on and off the court.
