Broncos To Welcome Coach John Wooden To Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Legendary basketball coach and motivational speaker John Wooden will make a special appearance in Kalamazoo on Monday, August 22, 2005 as part of "An Evening With John Wooden,"
hosted by the Bronco men's basketball team.

Wooden, whose speaking engagements are very limited in number, is visiting Western Michigan University because of the relationship he has developed with Bronco head coach Steve Hawkins and the WMU program. Wooden has known Hawkins and assistant coach Jeff Dunlap for over 25 years and spoke to the team last December prior to the squad's contest at USC.

A reception (5 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m.) at the Radisson Hotel will be followed by a presentation (8 p.m.) at Miller Auditorium on WMU's campus.

"Coach Wooden is a national treasure," Hawkins said. "His basketball accomplishments speak for themselves and will never be matched. His message on leadership and view of success are a different approach and have led to proven and remarkable results.

"This evening is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity," Hawkins added.

Several levels of sponsorship packages are available. Tables (10
people) for the dinner and tickets for the program are available through Miller Auditorium by calling (800) 228-9858 or ordering on the internet (wmubroncos.com or wmich.edu/miller).

For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact the Bronco basketball office at (269) 387-3608.

John Wooden-coached UCLA teams scaled to unprecedented heights.
Under the masterful guidance of Wooden, the Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38-straight NCAA Tournament victories, 20 PAC 10 championships and 10 national championships, including seven in a row.

One of two men selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, Wooden earned All-America status at Purdue and helped the Boilermakers to the national title in 1932. He was an all-state prep performer at Martinsville High School in Indiana.

In 2003, coach Wooden was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, the highest civilian honor a person can receive.