If you could, where would you go? To ancient Egypt to discover the mystery of the Great Pyramid? Ancient Greece to philosophize with the best? Rome to sample its decadence?
Would you want to be there when Paine, Jefferson and Franklin signed the Declaration or hear Abe Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg address in person? Now take your mind to the sports world.
Would you want to see Babe Ruth's called shot, or follow Ted Williams through his magical 1941 season where he hit .406? How about Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak that same 1941 season?
Well, this is the real world and we can't go back in time. But here's the next best thing: WOODENSTOCK. That's right, Woodenstock!
After a hiatus of more than 18 months, the decision has been made that it is time to bring back "Woodenstock". September 26th is the date which seems the best choice since it's the bye week for our football team.
Some of you--particularly those of you who have come around within the past year and a half--may be wondering what Woodenstock is--what it is all about.
In 1969, people came from all over the world to celebrate freedom, music, artistic expression, and the like -- to share their common cause at an event called "Woodstock". Well, while this was going on, and in fact before and after, there was some artistic expression going on 3000 miles WEST of Woodstock.
In WESTwood, California, the best college basketball ever played--the most artistic, illustrative of teamwork, and just plain fun to watch basketball--was being played game after game to the wonderment of a nation. Those who saw were amazed.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of foresight on the part of those who broadcast these games publicly, not many films or broadcasts have survived. It's sad, truly sad, that there is such a scant record of the greatest basketball dynasty ever. But, this Fall, to celebrate the art, the poetry, and the artist himself--John Wooden--the one who brought it all to us, we will dedicate "Woodenstock". Yes, we will gather in honor of this man, who not only re-wrote the basketball record books, but may well be the greatest human being to walk the face of the earth in the last 100 years!
Woodstock icons such as The Yardbirds, Hendrix, and Janis Joplin won't be there. But....(on film at least)....Lew Alcindor, Mike Warren, Steve Patterson, Curtis Rowe, Henry Bibby, Sidney Wicks, Bill Walton, Keith Wilkes, David Meyers, Richard Washington, Marques Johnson, and many more will be seen in their heyday, taking the court, racking up win after win and championship after championship. The announcers themselves were amazed, and despite the efforts of today's naysayers to explain it away, it CAN'T be explained away! It had never been done before, nor shall it be done again.
Beginning 11am and ending approximately 7pm we will show game after game of the Bruins from the Glory Era under Coach John Wooden. You'll see some of the greatest games in Bruin history as well as some outstanding performances by individual players. We've had folks come in from as far away as Northern California, Nevada, Cleveland, OH, and Raleigh, NC!
Come on Southern California Bruins fans. This is your team--your team's history. ESPN Classic, CSTV, KTLA, and no other broadcast entity will allow you to re-live these great Bruin moments. Take the opportunity to celebrate the past as we look toward the future.
Our football team is off that Saturday, so there's no reason you can't come. We're located just a short drive from the Rose Bowl and you can take the opportunity to fuel up for basketball season, right? It costs you nothing! There is no charge. Bring food or drink if you wish, but don't feel like you're obligated to do so because you are not. Just bring yourself and your memories. Or, if you weren't around to see the classic Bruins, come and see what the fuss was all about.
Email to: woodenstockhost@yahoo.com AND mrnewgu1@gmail.com
(If you do not receive a reply within 3 days of your email, send another. I have an inherent mistrust of email but nonetheless am required to rely on it at times.)
If you have questions, feel free to ask them by all means!