SoCalHoops College News

John R. Wooden Awards Banquet
Scheduled for April 6--(Mar. 8, 2001)

Our friend, Sam Lagana, the Executive Director of the John R. Wooden Award, passed some information on to us, and asked if we could spread the word, and we're only too happy to do that. Here's what's happening: 

Tickets are now on sale for The John R. Wooden Award Presentation Gala on Friday, April 6, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. at The Biltmore Hotel. Tickets must be  purchased in advance and there is no walk up sale. To purchase tickets  please call 213.630.5255. Location of seating is based on level of commitment and date of commitment. 

The John R. Wooden Award Presentation Gala is a black tie optional affair  where the Wooden Award recipient as the national college basketball player of  the year and All-American Teams receive their trophies. Additionally, at the gala, this year Coach Lute Olson of Arizona will be honored with the Wooden Award Legends of Coaching Award. On the local front, seven southern California High School players will be honored at the beginning of the dinner with their coaches as Wooden Award SoCal High School All-Star winners. Fans can participate in the Wooden Award Experience in a few different ways:

- A Patron Sponsor which includes tickets to the TV show, A preferred table location, and many other amenities (Wooden Award shirts and Jackets as well as a hospitality suite) not available to all persons involved in the Dinner Gala is $7500. The money sends two at-risk youth to an overnight summer camp and help build the Wooden Award experience.

- A Golden Circle level is $1850.00 and helps send an underprivileged youth from Los Angeles to a sleep over summer camp.

- Tickets are $150.00 per person or a table for $1500.00.

For more information on the Wooden Award, visit the website at www.WoodenAward.com or call 213.630.5255 for tickets. Television show tickets are not available separately or to the general public unless part of the Patron Sponsor level.

The High School Wooden Awards will be presented during the dinner show this year instead of at the reception. High School Wooden Award winners from So Cal will be named the second week in March. 

ACADEMIC EMPHASIS--The Wooden Award is unique in its emphasis on academics.  From the top 30 list, the Wooden Award offices are currently certifying with  universities and colleges players that are eligible by assuring each player is making progress toward graduation and has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at their current institution (certified by the university). An additional group of players not on the midseason ballot is tracked and certified as well.

WOODEN AWARD SILVER ANNIVERSARY--The John R. Wooden Award is celebrating its silver anniversary in 2001; the Award was first presented in 1977 to UCLA's   Marques Johnson and has continued to grow in national prestige each year. A special 25th anniversary silver trophy will be presented to this year's winner as the most outstanding college basketball player in the nation. Important Wooden Award dates to keep in mind are:

March 5, 2001--Wooden Award ballots sent out to 1,060 voters.

March 27, 2001--The top 10 players in the voting at the end of the season, The Wooden Award All-American Team, will be announced on the 6:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. editions of FOX Sports News on FOX Sports Net 10 days prior to the Wooden Award. \

April 6, 2001--The Wooden Award presentation is made during a live one hour broadcast on FOX Sports Net, followed by the Wooden Award Presentation Gala dinner at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

Tickets for the Gala are $150 per person/$1500 for a table of ten. Call 213.630.5255 to purchase tickets. NO tickets are available for the television broadcast only for the Presentation Gala. 

PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE--All National Games on FOX Sports Net this season will have a Wooden Award Candidate Player Profile or a Wooden Award winning moment flashback profile. The top 10 players in the voting at the end of the season, The Wooden Award All-American Team, will be announced on the 6:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. editions of FOX Sports News on FOX Sports Net 10 days prior (March 27, 2000) to the Wooden Award. The Wooden Award presentation is made during a live one hour broadcast on FOX Sports Net on Friday, April 6, 2001.

Thanks for the support.

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