UCLA’s legendary Coach John Wooden to be honored with postage stamp
Cultural and AthleticFriends and SupportersGlobal OutreachStudentsBruin fans may soon be tempted to do some old-fashioned letter-writing when the U.S. Postal Service issues a new stamp memorializing UCLA’s iconic former men’s basketball coach John Wooden.
The limited edition Forever stamp, featuring an original portrait of Wooden, will go on sale early next year and is expected to be available for about a year. A total of 18 million will be printed, according to the post office.
Wooden, who began his career at UCLA in 1948 and retired in 1975, led the Bruins to a record 10 national championships and left an indelible mark on the university, the sport and a generation of student athletes. Even after his coaching days ended, his insightful lessons on basketball and living a successful life continued to inspire legions of fans and admirers around the world. Wooden died in 2010 at the age of 99.
“This stamp is a tribute to Coach Wooden’s remarkable and widespread impact, which extends far beyond UCLA and far beyond basketball,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. “His success on the court was unparalleled, and he remains a model of integrity and excellence in athletics. But the values he stood for and the timeless wisdom he shared have spread even further, influencing generations of leaders from all walks of life.”