The John R. Wooden Award – 50 Golden Years

The John R. Wooden Award was conceived in the early 1970s by the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC). At the time, the Club was exploring the creation of a national award comparable to the Downtown Athletic Club’s Heisman Trophy. In 1975, LAAC executives—including President Charles Hathaway, Director of Athletics Duke Llewellyn, and Director of Membership Tom Hebert—met to formally consider establishing a national collegiate basketball award modeled after the Heisman.

Duke Llewellyn, a longtime friend of Coach John Wooden, recognized the opportunity to associate the award with one of the most respected figures in the sport. Wooden was then concluding his historic run of 10 national championships as head coach of the UCLA men’s basketball program. LAAC leadership believed that aligning the award with a figure of Wooden’s stature would provide the credibility and prestige necessary to create the basketball equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy.

Llewellyn was tasked with approaching Coach Wooden to request permission to use his name. Wooden agreed, provided that specific criteria be established for candidates. He required that recipients demonstrate academic responsibility by making satisfactory progress toward graduation, which ultimately became a cumulative GPA requirement of 2.0. In addition, candidates were expected to exhibit strong character and community leadership. While Wooden initially preferred limiting eligibility to seniors, he later agreed to include underclassmen.

Attention then turned to the selection process. Llewellyn collaborated with Rudy Riska, Director of Athletics for the Downtown Athletic Club in New York, to develop a comprehensive voting system. A National Advisory Board was established to identify the nation’s top players, while nearly 1,000 members of the sports media participated in voting. As the season progressed, the ballot was narrowed to approximately 20 finalists. A final vote, conducted during the NCAA Final Four, determined the 10 All-Americans and the Award recipient. The top five All-Americans, including the winner, were invited to Los Angeles for the presentation ceremony at the LAAC.

The inaugural John R. Wooden Award was presented during the 1976–77 season to Marques Johnson of UCLA.

The Award gained early national visibility through television broadcasts led by legendary sportscaster Dick Enberg. Having previously called UCLA games during Wooden’s coaching tenure, Enberg embraced the opportunity to help introduce the Award to a national audience, modeling the presentation after the Heisman Trophy announcement.

Over time, the Award’s broadcast presence expanded through various media partnerships. In 1996, the LAAC appointed Sam Laganà as Executive Director to lead the program’s professional development. Working alongside Chairman Duke Llewellyn, Coach Wooden, the National Steering Committee, and the National Advisory Board, Laganà played a pivotal role in modernizing and expanding the Award’s reach.

Leveraging his background in sports broadcasting, Laganà secured a long-term partnership with Fox Sports during a period of expansion in Los Angeles. Broadcasters Kevin Frazier and Chris Myers hosted year-round coverage, culminating in a one-hour primetime presentation from the LAAC. The program evolved into a year-round platform, incorporating radio, print, and early digital media through partnerships such as USA Today. The introduction of weekly “Wooden Watch” segments further increased national exposure.

In 1997, the Wooden Award established a meaningful partnership with Special Olympics Southern California. This collaboration engaged athletes in clinics and events, with Wooden Award All-Americans serving as mentors and coaches, reinforcing the program’s commitment to community service and inclusion.

Under Laganà’s leadership, the Steering Committee became more active, generating new initiatives to strengthen the Award. Founding contributors such as Tetsu Tanimoto, Stewart Hsieh, Dub Harris, and Tommy Hawkins played significant roles in securing sponsorships and advancing the organization’s mission, while deepening their connection to Coach Wooden’s values.

In 1999, the program expanded with the creation of the Legends of Coaching Award, recognizing coaches who exemplify the character, integrity, and leadership associated with John Wooden. The award was launched with support from Fox Sports executive Frank Sinton, and North Carolina’s Dean Smith was honored as the inaugural recipient.

As the program grew, additional staff contributed to its success, including Linda Reid in media and publications, Chris Knight and Bill Ferguson in operations, and Mike Solum and Marcy Segura in administrative roles.

The 2000–2001 season marked the Silver Anniversary of the Wooden Award. To commemorate the milestone, renowned artist LeRoy Neiman created a special painting celebrating the Award’s legacy and iconic trophy. Known for his vivid style and dynamic compositions, Neiman’s work captured the elegance of the bronze figure and the competitive spirit embodied by Coach Wooden. A silver version of the trophy was also introduced in honor of the anniversary.

In late 2001, Laganà transitioned to a leadership role within the Steering Committee, while Mike Solum assumed responsibility for directing Award programs. Although planning for a women’s award began in 1998, the Women’s Wooden Award was officially launched during the 2003–04 season, completing a comprehensive platform that included men’s, women’s, and Legends of Coaching honors, as well as recognition for local high school athletes.

June 4, 2010, marked a profound moment in the Award’s history, as both Duke Llewellyn and John Wooden passed away on the same day. Their loss represented the end of a foundational era. Leadership continuity was maintained as Sam Laganà and Tommy Hawkins were appointed co-chairmen. The passing of Charles Hathaway in 2013 further marked the transition from the founding generation.

Hawkins and Laganà guided the program through the following years, maintaining stability and continuity until Hawkins’ passing in 2017. Administrative oversight was then assumed by Cory Hathaway, representing a third generation of involvement in the Award’s stewardship.

Broadcast partnerships continued to evolve, transitioning from Fox Sports to CBS, and later to ESPN, which provided expansive national and international coverage. Under the direction of Ernest Baskerville, the Award adapted to changing media landscapes, including navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the presentation was streamed for the first time.

In recent years, the program has continued to grow and adapt. Discussions surrounding the establishment of an independent nonprofit foundation led to a significant milestone. In 2024, the John R. Wooden Award Foundation was officially formed with the support of the LAAC and long-standing Steering Committee members. The Foundation advances the values of Coach Wooden while supporting charitable organizations aligned with Award honorees and Special Olympics Southern California.

At the same time, the Los Angeles Athletic Club entered a new chapter under updated corporate leadership. The continued commitment of its executive team has ensured that the Wooden Award remains a central and celebrated part of the Club’s legacy.

Today, the Wooden Award stands as a testament to excellence in collegiate basketball, grounded not only in athletic achievement but also in character, leadership, and academic integrity. The partnership between the LAAC and the John R. Wooden Award Foundation reflects a shared commitment to preserving and advancing the principles that Coach Wooden championed throughout his life.

As the Award marks its 50th anniversary, it celebrates five decades of honoring the student-athletes and coaches who exemplify the highest ideals of the game—on and off the court.