Fostering teamwork, academic excellence, and character development.
The mission of the John R. Wooden Award Foundation (JRWAF) is to promote teamwork, academic excellence, and character development in a manner that reflects the enduring values of John R. Wooden. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, recognized as a public charity under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). Serving as an Angel organization, JRWAF independently directs funding to educational, athletic, and philanthropic initiatives. Its work is guided by a dedicated board of directors committed to advancing John R. Wooden’s legacy and the timeless principles embodied in his Pyramid of Success. (EIN: 99-2351071)
ABOUT THE JOHN R. WOODEN AWARD
The John R. Wooden Award, founded in 1976, honors the top collegiate basketball Player of the Year for both men and women. The award has a legacy of recognizing well-rounded players who excel on and off the court, with a trophy symbolizing the five key skills of a complete player.
ABOUT COACH WOODEN
Coach John R. Wooden was an exceptional player and coach, known for his remarkable achievements both on and off the basketball court. As a player at Purdue University from 1929 to 1932, he was a standout, earning All-American honors and leading his team to the NCAA championship in 1932. Later, as the head coach at UCLA, he built an unprecedented legacy, winning 10 NCAA championships, including seven consecutive titles from 1967-1973. Known for his “Pyramid of Success,” Wooden focused not only on basketball skills but on building character, teamwork, and discipline, instilling in his players the importance of both athletic and academic excellence.
The John R. Wooden Award was created in 1976 to honor the best collegiate basketball players, male and female, and to reflect the values that Coach Wooden championed. The award was designed to recognize players who excelled not only in their basketball performance but also in their character, integrity, and academic achievements—principles that were central to Wooden’s coaching philosophy. Today, the Wooden Award continues to uphold his legacy, celebrating athletes who embody the same qualities of excellence and leadership that made Coach Wooden a revered figure in sports.
OUR IMPACT
Since its inception, the John R. Wooden Award® program has made charitable gifts of nearly one million dollars in the names of the Wooden Award All American recipients and has sent more than 1,000 underprivileged children to week-long college basketball camps.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
slagana@woodenaward.com
Phone
310-454-1951
Address
Post Office Box 1120, Los Angeles, CA 90272-1120