LOS ANGELES (AP) — The stern gaze behind black-rimmed glasses, arms folded, rolled-up program tucked under his arm. John Wooden is now standing vigil outside Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA unveiled a life-sized bronze statue of the late revered coach on Friday outside its newly renovated arena on the Westwood campus. Wooden’s family members, who were consulted by sculptor Blair Buswell, were pleased with how the nearly 400-pound tribute turned out.
Wooden’s daughter, Nan, says she suggested final tweaks to the piece, including adjusting her father’s ears to reflect their long length and smoothing out a slight pot belly that didn’t exist on her trim father.
Wooden, who died in 2010, led the Bruins to 10 national championships, including seven in a row. The statue resembles Wooden in the final years of his 27-year career, which ended with his 1975 retirement.
