LITTLE ROCK — Den exhibit cozy tribute to Wooden
His overstuffed recliner is tucked in a corner, next to a table with a telephone and an address book open to names written in pencil. The television plays a loop of a Western and a baseball game.
All that’s missing from the cozy scene is John Wooden himself.
UCLA recreated the home den of the late basketball coach in a new exhibit that opened Wednesday at the Athletics Hall of Fame, located steps away from Pauley Pavilion, where Wooden plied his trade until 1975.
He died in June at 99. In the months that followed, his children, Nan and Jim, sorted through numerous requests for items from their father’s life, including from the Smithsonian.
They shipped some to his alma mater, Purdue, and others to Indiana State, where Wooden coached and earned a master’s in education. His hometown of Martinsville, Ind., also received keepsakes for display.
“But UCLA is where he spent most of his time,” Nan told the university. “We really wanted them to have the den. I think they did a great job on it.”
Wooden and his wife, Nell, moved into their condo in suburban Encino in 1972. She decorated the den, where Wooden began each morning at his rolltop desk. He’d gothrough the mail, write letters and poetry, and autograph the dozens of basketballs and books sent to him by fans.
He snacked on his favorites - chocolate-covered raisins, jelly beans and orange candy slices - while watching Westerns starring John Wayne and baseball games announced by Vin Scully.
Other times, he leaned back in the recliner and listened to the Mills Brothers.
“I’ve been in there twice, and both times I felt like I was taken back in time,” said UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field, who was a regular visitor to Wooden’s condo. “I think he would be really pleased at how well it’s done.”Bread vs. BBQ
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is betting the Giants win one more series.
Newsom agreed to a friendly wager with Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck before the Texas Rangers and Giants began the World Series on Wednesday.
Newsom said the losing mayor will have to don the opposing team’s jersey and fly to the winning city to perform community service with children.
There also will be an exchange of foods: Ghirardelli chocolate and sourdough bread for Cluck if the Rangers win and Texasstyle barbecue for Newsom if the Giants win.
Cowboy question
“What makes Cowboys fans madder?” wrote Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com. “The fact that (Tony) Romo hasn’t been that effective and is now out for the season. Or the fact that there is really no way they can blame this one on Jessica Simpson.” Quote marks
Headline at Fark.com, after Washington Redskins defensive back DeAngelo Hall intercepted four Bears passes: “It looks like Jay Cutler has finally settled on a favorite receiver.”
Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl, to FanHouse.com, after undergoing chemotherapy for throat cancer: “I’ve lost a lot of weight, but I wouldn’t recommend the diet.”Quote of the day “It puts a huge smile on my face. This is a great deal for us.” Coach Bobby Petrino on Arkansas’ plans to break ground on a new 80,000 square foot football operations center
Sports, Pages 20 on 10/28/2010