John Wooden memorial service draws former UCLA stars, coaching greats

John Wooden remembered in public service

LOS ANGELES — A public memorial for John Wooden is under way inside UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, where he coached the Bruins to some of their record 10 national basketball championships.

A former neighbor of Wooden’s opened the 90-minute service on Saturday by singing and playing guitar on “Galway Bay,” one of his favorite songs.

Among the former players and coaches attending are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Lute Olson, Gene Keady, Jim Harrick and Joe Torre, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Inside the darkened arena, Wooden’s seat behind the Bruins’ bench was roped off and his 10 national title banners hung in the rafters bathed in spotlights.

Wooden died June 4 at age 99.