Recognizing outstanding women’s and men’s
collegiate basketball players
Principal Financial Group® and the Los Angeles Athletic Club
today announced a new presenting sponsorship of the John R. Wooden
Award. The sponsorship reflects the dedication of Principal® to
celebrate expertise, excellence, and equality in sports.
The Wooden Award offers a unique opportunity to pair the shared
values of Coach Wooden and Principal to support the women, men and
coaches who are shaping today’s game.
“Principal sponsorship of the Wooden Award is bigger than a
financial commitment,” said Beth Wood, Principal executive vice
president and chief marketing officer. “Support for this
prestigious award reinforces the core values which have always been
part of what Principal believes while, at the same time, celebrates
the commitment and expertise demonstrated by these talented
athletes and coaches.”
Principal will be recognized as the official presenting sponsor
of the John R. Wooden Award for both women’s and men’s categories
and the Legends of Coaching Award.
“The Los Angeles Athletic Club is truly excited to welcome
Principal® as our esteemed presenting sponsor,” said Sam Lagana,
Chairman of the John R. Wooden Award program. “With a legacy
spanning over 140 years, Principal embodies a values-driven ethos.
The Principal mission seamlessly aligns with the ideals upheld by
the Wooden Award. Our recognition of exceptional young women, men,
and coaches in collegiate basketball mirrors the dedication of
Principal to acknowledge individuals committed to personal growth
within both athletic and academic realms. We eagerly anticipate
honoring the outstanding players and coaches within collegiate
basketball alongside Principal and celebrating the inherent
goodness present within the sport."
Beginning in 2020, Principal took steps to increase its impact
on gender equality in sports—investing behind its mission to help
everyone build a brighter future. Through its media support,
Principal is an active endorser of NCAA Women’s and Men’s sports,
helping amateur athletes forge a path toward a bright and secure
financial future.
To further amplify the Wooden Award and uplift athletes,
Principal is collaborating with ESPN via Disney Advertising to
showcase the top women’s and men’s college basketball players
through several player features starting in January with the Top
25. Top finalists will be revealed during various ESPN studio
shows, and the women's and men's winners will be announced live on
SportsCenter the day after each NCAA National Championship.
About Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial
company with 19,500 employees1 passionate about improving the
wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for
more than 140 years, we’re helping more than 61 million customers1
plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the
communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive
workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2023
World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere2, a member of the
Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a “Best Places to Work in
Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment
to building a better future at principal.com.
1 As of September 30, 2023
2 Ethisphere, 2023
3 Pensions & Investments, 2022
About the John R. Wooden Award
Created in 1976, by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the John R.
Wooden Award Program hosts the most prestigious honors in college
basketball recognizing The Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player for
men and women, The Wooden Award All-America Teams for men and women
and the annual selection of the Wooden Award Legend of Coaching
recipient. Honorees have proven to their university that they meet
or exceed the qualifications of the John R. Wooden Award as set
forth by Coach Wooden and the Wooden Award Steering Committee,
including making progress towards graduation and maintaining at
least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Previous winners include Larry Bird
(’79), Michael Jordan (’84), Tim Duncan (’97), Kevin Durant (’07),
Candace Parker (’07; ’08), Maya Moore (’09; ’11), Breanna Stewart
(’15; ’16), and last year’s recipients, Caitlin Clark of Iowa and
Zach Edey of Purdue.
Since its inception, the John R. Wooden Award has contributed
nearly one million dollars to the universities’ general scholarship
fund in the names of the Wooden Award All American recipients and
has sent more than 1,000 underprivileged children to week-long
college basketball camps. Additionally, the John R. Wooden Award
partners with the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) each
year to host the Wooden Award Special Olympics Southern California
Basketball Tournament. The day-long tournament brings together
Special Olympics athletes and Wooden Award All Americans and
coaches in attendance. It is hosted at the Los Angeles Athletic
Club during the John R. Wooden Award Weekend.
The Legends of Coaching Award presented by Principal will be
presented to University of Kentucky coach John Calipari, along with
the Wooden Award Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year on April 12,
2024.
For up-to-date information on the Wooden Award, please go to
https://www.woodenaward.com and follow the Wooden Award on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/woodenaward and @WoodenAward on Twitter and
Instagram.
About Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC)
Founded in 1880, the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) was built
on a foundation of athleticism, and culture, embracing a rich
tradition of social and physical vitality. Today’s membership
reflects the diversity of people in Southern California, drawing
from the professional, business, arts, and university communities.
Within its historic 12 story building, LAAC offers several fitness
floors with state-of-the-art equipment, an indoor running track,
the international squash center, an Olympic sized swimming pool,
the John Wooden Basketball Court, the Neptune Spa, two restaurants,
three lounges, a ballroom, junior ballrooms, along with a 72-room
hotel, and multiple options for communal and private working
spaces.
Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance
Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan
administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds,
Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities
offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or
independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the
Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. ©2023 Principal
Financial Services, Inc.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240110743448/en/
Media Contact: Megan Grandgeorge,
Grandgeorge.megan@principal.com, 515-878-1146
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