Wooden Classic to continue

From UCLA:

The 17th Annual John R. Wooden Classic will proceed as scheduled this year despite the passing of the event's namesake, legendary coach and humanitarian John Wooden. The announcement was jointly made today by the Wooden family, Anaheim Arena Management and Pantheon International, hosts and producers of the John R. Wooden Classic since its inception in 1994. In addition, the game matchups for the one-day basketball doubleheader were made public and will feature UCLA vs. BYU and St. Mary's vs. Long Beach State.


"The Wooden family is proud to continue the Wooden Classic in honor of our father, grandfather and great grandfather," said Jim Wooden and Nancy Muehlhausen, son and daughter of the legendary coach. "We are so pleased the event will continue to celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves behind. Our thanks go out to Pantheon International, Honda Center and the thousands of fans that have made this event possible."

The annual event will be held this year on Saturday, December 18th at Honda Center in Anaheim with UCLA making its 15th appearance in the seventeen year history of the one-day doubleheader. The rest of the four-team field boasts likely Top 20 ranked BYU, 2010 sweet sixteen participant St. Mary's and Big West favorite Long Beach State.

"For the past 16 years we have been privileged to produce the John R. Wooden Classic and we look forward to once again celebrating John Wooden's legacy and philosophy. Though we are saddened that Coach will not be with us in person this December, we know his inspiration carries on," said Honda Center President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Ryan.

"We are in the fortunate position of helping pass along John Wooden's teachings and ideals," said Jim Sperry, President of Pantheon International. "We look forward to extending his message and putting on an event worthy of his name."