Coach John Wooden Keys to Life
26th Annual in-person event at the Men’s NCAA Final Four
Saturday, April 1st, 2023 | 8am to 9:30am
Breakfast is served
Ballroom of Americas | Hilton Americas-Houston
In memory of a legendary coach
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.
This year’s award recipient, Coach Scott Drew of Baylor University, will be honored at this marquee event which will also feature a “Lifetime Achievement” Award being presented to the former Executive Director of the NCAA and the USA Olympic Committee, Dick Schultz.This highly anticipated annual celebration hosted by Athletes in Action on Saturday morning at the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four consistently presents first-class production punctuated with good humor, memorable basketball banter and heartwarming stories. The 2023 program will be paced by ESPN broadcaster and analyst, Sage Steele and Fran Fraschilla.
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
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SYLVIA CRAWLEY
former WNBA player & WNBA coach
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.
Alan Houston
2022
Billy and Mary Kennedy
2021
John Beilein
2019
Rick Barnes
2018
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 series of events
designed to honor athletes and coaches who model exemplary character, values, integrity and
faith. In addition to the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, these breakfast events are held in the host cities of the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game.
Our partners
