SATURDAY, January 21, 2017
Pauley Pavilion
UCLA campus, CA
UCLA graduate and icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be honored this Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Bruins’ home basketball game against Arizona after receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor – the Presidential Medal of Freedom – this past November. Abdul-Jabbar, who was among 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, earned the award from President Barack Obama for his greatness on the court and societal contributions once his playing days ended.
“The reason we honor Kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the skyhook,” Obama said at the White House ceremony. “He stood up for his Muslim faith when it wasn’t easy and wasn’t popular. He’s as comfortable sparring with Bruce Lee as he is advocating on Capitol Hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence on patriotism.”
In recognition of this monumental achievement, UCLA will celebrate “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Day” prior to and during halftime of the Bruins’ 1:00 pm matinee at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA will host a pregame reception, one that includes former teammates and members of the Wooden family, in the Pavilion Club before the game. Abdul-Jabbar, who will speak to those in attendance about his experiences surrounding this most recent accomplishment, will also make a handful of items from his own personal collection available for auction. All proceeds will benefit his Skyhook Foundation.
Following the pregame festivities, UCLA will honor Abdul-Jabbar in a halftime ceremony that will culminate with him addressing the entire Pauley Pavilion crowd.
For more information visit UCLABruins.com
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