Coach Wooden Keys to Life

Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Breakfast

28th annual in-person event at the Men’s NCAA Final Four

Saturday, April  5th, 2025

Breakfast starts at 7:30am, Program starts at 8:00am

San Antonio, TX

The Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award is presented annually to a player or coach who best exemplifies character, leadership, and faith in the home, on the court, and throughout the community. 

Last year’s award recipient was former ASU Sun Devil, and NBA Player and Coach Lionel Hollins. This marquee event also featured a “Lifetime Achievement” Award being presented to the former Chairman of USA Basketball and Former Owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Jerry Colangelo.

This highly anticipated annual celebration is hosted by Athletes in Action at the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four and consistently presents first-class production punctuated with good humor, memorable basketball banter and heartwarming stories. 

As our society looks up to athletes as heroes, Athletes In Action champions those heroes that first look up to God by living out the same Biblical principles practiced by the inspiration for the “Keys to Life” Award — the legendary and faithful, Coach John Wooden.

MEET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

Allan Houston

The 2022 Athletes in Action Keys to Life recipient. Former NBA All-Star and Tennessee Volunteer 

The Kennedys

The 2021 Athletes in Action Keys to Life recipients. 

Billy is the former head coach of Texas A&M and Murray State.

Derick Grant

 2022 Athletes in Action Keys to Life Emcee.  Former Harlem Globetrotter and current CEO of DG Mindset.

King Mcclure

 2022 Athletes in Action Keys to Life Emcee.  ESPN Analyst, SiriusXM  Host and former Baylor Bear

HONORING A LEGENDARY COACH

.
SYLVIA CRAWLEY
former WNBA player & WNBA coach
Jimmy Dykes
JIMMY DYKES
ESPN

details

Cost

FREE

For the first time ever, take advantage of our (free) premiere of the Coach John Wooden Keys to Life.

Logistics

ONLINE

Broadcast and Online Special, premiering April 3, 10 am EST.

 

Take a seat & enjoy the Coach John Wooden Keys to Life from the comfort of your own home! 

What you'll do

program

Hear stories you won’t hear anywhere else from high-level basketball coaches, players, & speakers.

 

recent honorees

The Keys to Life Award celebrates the legacy of John Wooden’s influence through the world of coaching and beyond. Coach Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” continues to inspire leadership, team-building, character, responsibility, and cooperation on teams at every level of the game.

Lionel Hollins
2024
Scott Drew
2023
Alan Houston
2022
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Billy and Mary Kennedy
2021
LOH-5
John Beilein
2019
LOH-7
Rick Barnes
2018

Take a look at the 2023 event

Wooden family fieldhouse

Coach Barnes receives the "keys to LIfe" award

About Athletes in action

Since 1966, Athletes in Action has been helping athletes experience the hope and purpose that comes from following Jesus, and equipping them to use their platform to be part of God’s mission in the world to make disciples of all nations.

By serving, training, and sending athletes as influencers into the world, AIA is building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.

The Coach John Wooden “Keys to Life” Breakfast is part of Athletes in Action’s Signature Events designed to honor athletes and coaches who model exemplary character, values, integrity and faith. In addition to this breakfast, Athletes in Action hosts the Super Bowl Breakfast, All-Star Breakfast, and the Total Athlete Tip Off. 

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