Press Release

WASHINGTON D.C. – In the excitement of the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s college basketball tournament season, Museum of the Bible releases its latest in original content: College Basketball and the Bible, a 10-day YouVersion reading plan that explores the role the Bible has played – both on and off the court - in the lives of the coaches and players that helped shape some of the most legendary, inspiring and heroic moments in college basketball history.

“March Madness is quite possibly the greatest single tournament on the sporting calendar each year,” says Steven Bickley, vice president of marketing for Museum of the Bible. “From legendary coaches like John Wooden and Kay Yow to modern stars such as Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield, the Bible has had a tremendous impact on the lives of some of the greatest men and women to ever grace the hardwood. These players and coaches took key verses and passages with them onto the court and out into their daily lives, and it made all the difference. This reading plan pays tribute to the starring role the Bible played in these amazing, real-life stories.”  

Readers of College Basketball and the Bible will learn about John Wooden’s love for the Bible and how it shaped his legendary discipline. Winning a record 10 National Championships as the head coach of UCLA men’s team and perhaps the most famous coach in college history, John Wooden gave tribute to the Bible as his foundational book. After retiring from coaching in 1975, he authored the now famous Seven-Point Creed, which has inspired generations after him. Point four reads simply, “Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.” 

Included in the reading plan is how Stephen Curry’s signature verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” helped propel him to one of the most improbable NCAA tournament runs of all time as he lead little regarded Davidson over perennial power Wisconsin and into the Elite Eight.

Another story comes from last year’s NCAA Tournament and Oklahoma Sooners star, Buddy Hield. Hield turned to the Psalms to quiet his nerves before setting the school’s NCAA Tournament record with 37 points in a dominant 80-68 victory over top-seeded Oregon. The win gave Oklahoma its first Final Four appearance in 14 years. Hield’s incredible season included winning the Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, the Oscar Robertson Trophy, and being named the Sporting News Player of the Year.

Also highlighted is the reading plan is the story of legendary women’s basketball coach Kay Yow of North Carolina, one of only six coaches with over 700 career wins as a head coach. A few weeks before her death, Yow recorded a 20-minute video that she shared with family and friends, players, loved ones, and a host of basketball dignitaries at her memorial services. After quoting Bible verses that shaped her life and inspired her faith, she shared, “It has changed my life,” she said. “I’ve had many great victories—championship victories, gold medal victories. But this is the victory above all other victories. You can’t compare it to the others. It’s for eternity.”

Users can access all of this series directly through the YouVersion mobile app and desktop version. Select quotes from the plan will be shared by Museum of the Bible on social media.

For Media Only: Pictures and credits/usage info related to College Basketball and the Bible are available here.

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Museum of the Bible - Museum of the Bible is an innovative, global, educational institution whose purpose is to invite all people to engage with the Bible. In 2017, Museum of the Bible, which aims to be the most technologically advanced museum in the world, will open its 430,000-square-foot nonprofit museum just three blocks from the Capitol in Washington, D.C. A digital fly-through and a 360-degree hardhat tour of the museum are available on youtube.com/museumofBible.

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