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SAN ANTONIO, March 18, 2025—As college student-athletes take the court for Final Four weekend, one event will recognize and honor individuals in the game who display outstanding leadership, character and integrity on and off the hardwood.
Hosted by the international sports ministry Athletes in Action, the 28th annual breakfast will feature the presentation of the “Keys to Life” Award. Given to a current or former basketball figure who best exemplifies the character and leadership traits of legendary University of California, Los Angeles Coach John Wooden, this year’s award will be presented to former NBA player, executive and Head Coach Monty Williams.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 5, 8 a.m. (CST)
Doors open at 7:30 a.m. (CST)
WHERE:
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
900 E. Market St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
HOW:
One of the Final Four weekend’s most popular events,
fans can reserve a spot today by visiting keystolife.us.
“Athletes in Action is honored to name Monty Williams as the recipient of the 2025 Coach John Wooden ‘Keys to Life’ Award,” said Jared Miller, director of Athletes in Action Basketball. “Monty exemplifies the character and leadership that was so important to Coach Wooden, and he continues to lead by example, making a difference in the lives of athletes off the court, as well as on.”
At age 12, Coach Wooden was given a creed by his father titled, “Keys to Life,” which included life lessons like Be True To Yourself, Help Others, and Make Friendship a Fine Art. Named after it, the “Keys to Life” Breakfast honors Wooden’s lifelong pursuit to live up to its calling and celebrates sports figures who live out the same characteristics.
For more information about the “Keys to Life” Breakfast and to inquire about attending, please visit keystolife.us.
“Keys to Life” Award Recipient Monty Williams
The 2025 Coach John Wooden “Keys to Life” Award will be presented to Monty Williams, a former University of Notre Dame standout. Selected by the New York Knicks in the 1994 NBA draft, Williams played in the league for nine years, spending time with the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers. While knee issues forced him to retire in 2003, his impact in the NBA would be felt long after.
Williams began his coaching career with the Spurs as an intern before joining the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant. In 2010, he was made the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets (currently the Pelicans). At the time of his hire, he became the youngest head coach in the NBA at 38 years old. After five years with New Orleans, he made stops in Oklahoma City as the head coach of the Thunder and in Philadelphia, where he joined the 76ers as an assistant coach.
Perhaps most known for his four seasons as the Phoenix Suns’ head coach, Williams led the Suns to the 2021-22 playoffs with a 53-13 record. Subsequently, he was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year for that season, as he led Phoenix to a franchise-best record of 64-18, which led the NBA that year.
Now coaching his two sons at TMI Episcopal in San Antonio, Williams is a profound Christian and has a track record of building positive team culture.
MEDIA RESOURCES: To request interviews, media resources or additional information, please email matt.dunn@athletesinaction.org.
The Coach John Wooden “Keys to Life” Breakfast is part of Athletes in Action’s Signtaure Event Series designed to honor athletes and coaches who model exemplary character, values, integrity and faith. Other events include the Super Bowl Breakfast, All-Star Breakfast, during the NBA All-Star weekend, and Total Athlete Tip-Off, which serves as one of the premiere host sites for the start of the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball season. For more information about Athletes in Action, visit athletesinaction.org.
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