FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari, announced as the new University of Arkansas men’s basketball coach Wednesday, was presented with the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award on Friday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
According to a news release, the Wooden Award honors and recognizes coaches who exemplify the high standard of coaching success and personal integrity shown by John Wooden, who led UCLA to 10 national championships between 1964 and 1975, when he retired.
Honorees for the Wooden Award, which was created in 1999 and has been presented to coaches of both men’s and women’s teams, are selected based on character, success on the court, graduation rate of the players and coaching philosophy.
Calipari has an 855-263 on-court record in 32 seasons at Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky with six Final Four appearances and the 2012 national championship.
“Coach John Calipari has been a significant part of the Wooden Award experience, dating back to his first head coaching assignment at UMass,” said Sam Lagana, chairman of the Wooden Award Steering Committee. “He has supported the award and stood with his candidates and winners every step of the way.
“Coach Wooden had an appreciation for Coach Cal that carried through the years and Coach Calipari has demonstrated great reverence for Coach Wooden as both shared a players-first mentality, with emphasis on care for the student-athlete and in the value of competitive greatness. John Calipari is a wonderful addition to the fraternity of Wooden Award ‘Legends of Coaching’ recipients.”
Gene Keady, a former Arkansas assistant coach, won the Wooden Award in 2007 for his career success as Purdue’s coach. North Carolina’s Dean Smith was the first winner in 1999.