John Wooden, known for his 10 NCAA men’s basketball championships with UCLA will be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in Kansas City next month for his contributions to the league in the late 40’s.

Wooden was only a coach of Indiana State for two seasons from 1947-1948.  In the two years after Wooden left, the Sycamores went to the NAIA semifinals in 1949 and then won the national championship in 1950.

However, Wooden is being recognized for helping break the color barrier.  Wooden had a black player on his team and refused an invitation by the NAIB (which is what the league was called at the time) because they would not allow black players to play.  Wooden’s team was a no-show in ’47 and the next year, the league changed its policy.

Wooden still goes to just about every UCLA home game, but normally leaves in the first half.