John Wooden statue planned for UCLA arena

LOS ANGELES - UCLA plans to erect a statue of late Bruins basketball coaching legend John Wooden when Pauley Pavilion's renovation is completed in 2012.

Athletic director Dan Guerrero wrote in his weekly email to UCLA supporters that the school has been working with Wooden's family to commission the statue, which will be in a plaza on the arena's north side. It is being financed by UCLA boosters.

The sculptor is Blair Buswell, head sculptor for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

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Guerrero says the school is seeking a corporate sponsor for the arena when it re-opens next fall, with any revenue generated by such a deal to go into paying off the debt on the renovations. He said the affiliation "will be tastefully done" and has the blessing of the family of Edwin Pauley, whose name is on the building.