Prestigious Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award Presented at the Most Popular Faith-Filled Event

SATURDAY MORNING: Sports Celebrities Join Fans for the Annual Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast to Recognize the Importance of Character, Integrity, and Faith

ATLANTA, March 26, 2007—It's not just what happens on the court that makes Final Four weekend so special. Before the big games, more than a thousand people will join together Saturday morning for the popular and positive Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast-where this year Jim Haney, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) will be presented with the 2007 Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award.

"Jim Haney, both on and off the court, embodies all that the Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award stands for," said Bill Pugh, president of Athletes in Action. "I appreciate Jim's character, leadership, and tireless work ethic as a coach, conference commissioner, and now as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches."

Established by Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1998, the Keys to Life Award honors members of the college or professional basketball community who model the characteristics of 10-time NCAA Men's Basketball Championship-winning Coach John Wooden (UCLA, 1948-1975) including his high level of moral character, integrity, and faith-on and off the court. Wooden's legacy reflects the life-long pursuit of a creed (see below) his father gave him at age 12, entitled "Keys to Life."

Other 2007 Keys to Life Award finalists included Dick Bennett, former coach at Washington State University and the University of Wisconsin; Luke Ridnour, point guard for the Seattle SuperSonics; and Charlie Ward, NBA veteran and Florida State University football and basketball star.
 
Tickets for the 2007 Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast are $150 or $1500 for a table of 10. For registration information, call (800) 416-9473 or visit www.LegendsBreakfast.com. 
 
The Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast is an Athletes in Action Sports Legend Series event. The Sports Legend Series is comprised of five premier events designed to honor athletes and coaches who model exemplary character, values, integrity, and faith. For more information on the Sports Legend Series visit www.AIASportsLegendSeries.com.

John Wooden's Keys to Life:

• Make each day your masterpiece

• Help others

• Be true to yourself

• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible

• Make friendship a fine art

• Build shelter against a rainy day

• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day