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REGULAR MEETING JULY 23, 2007
<br />Whereas, the Wooden Family moved to Martinsville, where John Wooden
<br />excelled on his high school basketball team, which went to the state championship three
<br />(3) years in a row and won twice; and
<br />Whereas, John Wooden entered Purdue University to study civil engineering, but
<br />graduated as an English major in 1932, while earning a "reputation as a fearless player of
<br />dazzling speed"; he made All-American three (3) years; was the Captain of the Purdue
<br />Basketball Team in 1931 and 1932, while leading the Boilermakers to two (2) Big Ten
<br />Championships and the 1932 National Basketball Championship; all of which won him
<br />a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame; and
<br />Whereas, in 1933, John Wooden and his bride of one year, Nellie, moved to South
<br />Bend, Indiana, where he taught English and coached the basketball team at South Bend
<br />Central High School with a record of 218 wins and only 42 losses; and also coached
<br />baseball and tennis; while having his coaching career interrupted to serve in the United
<br />States Navy during World War II; and
<br />Whereas, Coach Wooden is the first person to be inducted into the National
<br />Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player & a coach; noting that in his 40-Season All-
<br />Time Coaching Record Coach Wooden won 885 games, lost 203 with an overall winning
<br />percentage of .813; which included a record of 620-147 at UCLA.
<br />Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South
<br />Bend, Indiana, as follows:
<br />Section L On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the
<br />Common Council hereby publicly commends and congratulates COACH JOHN R.
<br />WOODEN, and are humbled to formally name the JOHN WOODEN WALKWAY BY
<br />THE FORMER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IN HIS HONOR, with a press conference
<br />having been held on July 6, 2007 with Central High School alumni, teachers, coaches and
<br />players in attendance to commemorate this legendary man, who we call our own.
<br />Section II The Council notes that Coach Wooden, who developed "The Pyramid
<br />of Success" which focuses on "competitive greatness, poise, confidence, conditioning,
<br />skill, team spirit, self-control, alertness, initiative, intentness, industriousness, friendship,
<br />loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm and honesty" has touched so many lives and has been an
<br />inspiration to thousands, and especially his countless number of friends and South Bend
<br />Central High School alumni in South Bend, Indiana.
<br />Section III .The South Bend Common Council gratefully honors Coach Wooden,
<br />a man of impeccable commitment, conviction and integrity, both on the basketball court
<br />and in life, who is truly an inspiration to us all.
<br />Section IV . This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its
<br />adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor.
<br />s/Derek D. Dieter, lgt District
<br />s/Charlotte D. Pfeifer, 2nd District
<br />s/Roland Kelly, 3~d District
<br />s/Ann Puzzello, 4~` District
<br />s/Dr. David Varner, Sd` District
<br />s/Ervin Kuspa, 6d` District
<br />s/Timothy A. Rouse, At Large
<br />s/Al "Buddy" Kirsits, At Large
<br />s/Karen L. White, At Large
<br />s/Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Attorney
<br />Attest:
<br />Adopted this 23 day of July, 2007
<br />s/John Voorde, City Clerk s/Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor
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