John Wooden

John Wooden coaching at the NCAA tournament (http://www.andyhillspeaks.com/wooden.html ())

John Wooden achieved many things in his lifetime as both a player and coach. Prior to coaching, John Wooden was an All American college basketball player.  "John Wooden, one of only two people enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, is widely acknowledged as the most successful coach in college basketball history." (John Wooden)

John Wooden was a great player when he played at Purdue. Also how his incredible coaching ability lead to a spot in the Hall of Fame. Wooden's most impressive coaching years came while coaching at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).   "His 27-year career with the UCLA was highlighted during his final 12 seasons of play, from 1964 to 1975. During that time, Wooden brought the UCLA Bruins through an 88-game winning streak, four undefeated seasons of play, and ten National College Athletic Association (NCAA) championships." (John Wooden) Wooden won ten NCAA championships in twelve years and had an 88 game winning streak for four of those seasons. Wooden's incredible coaching ability won his Bruins these games and NCAA championships. Wooden's style of coaching lead him to some of the greatest achievements of any basketball coach ever.

Wooden winning one of his 10 championships (http://www.angelfire.com/ex2/jasonmodahl/johnwoode ())

John Wooden not only coached basketball but he did many other interesting things as well. Before his coaching career at UCLA, Wooden served in the navy.  "After serving as a Navy lieutenant during World War II, Wooden became the athletic director, as well as the coach for the basketball and baseball teams at Indiana State Teachers College in 1946." (John Wooden) This part of his life demonstrates how Wooden cared about many other things besides basketball, including how much he cared for his country.  John Wooden also had a lot of affection towards his players and thought of them as family.   "John Wooden, who nurtured nearly 200 players through his charge as an NCAA coach, remained in contact with scores of his former students, even in retirement." (John Wooden) Wooden really cared about his players even after he finished coaching them. He wanted to know them all on a personal level. Wooden not only cared about basketball but also serving his country in World War II and knowing all of his players outside the game of basketball. 

Even after John Wooden retired he continued to teach people how to play basketball and how to be good human beings. One way John Wooden taught was through his books.  "During his time off the court, Coach Wooden produced several books, including an instructional volume and an autobiography, and after leaving UCLA he published numerous other volumes." (John Wooden) Wooden wrote many of his books describing his pyramid of success method. These methods taught many people about his theory on how to succeed even though they were not able to play for him or meet him. The 15 step of the pyramid theory defines success by improving oneself.  Another way he taught was through his various camps for youth basketball players.  "Through the end of 1990s Wooden remained active in basketball camps. He took particular pleasure in teaching kids the fundamentals of basketball." (John Wooden) This shows how much Wooden cared about teaching kids on how to play the game of basketball and how to live. John Wooden still continued to teach and inspire even after his coaching career.

Wooden coaching his players during a game (http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/printmember/woo ())

John Wooden truly is a hero to people who not only love the game of basketball but also who strive to reach success both personally and professionally.  By winning championships and teaching his players to become good successful people Wooden is thought of as one of the greatest coaches ever. His championships and acceptance into the Hall Of Fame was earned by his style of coaching which involved being a good person as well as a good basketball player. For John Wooden, "being at your best when your best was needed was just as important in the game of life as it was in the game of basketball" (UCLA BRUINS - Coach Wooden). He inspired me and others by teaching us to be our best and kind to others. He didn't just care about John Wooden winning championships, but he also cared about teaching and inspiring his players to be good people on and off the court. He is a role model to follow and will always be remembered as a player, coach and an inspirational hero with his 'Pyramid of Success' model.

Works Cited

"John Wooden" Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. .

"John Robert Wooden." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Biography in Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

"John Wooden." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Biography in Context. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

"John Wooden." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Biography in Context. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

"UCLA BRUINS - Coach Wooden." Uclabruins.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. .