John Wooden

(westsidetoday.com ())

When thinking of the greatest to ever coach the game of basketball, John Wooden often seems to come to mind. John Wooden was born on October 14, 1910 on a small farm in Hall, Indiana. There, he would grow up and acquire the life lessons and skills that shaped him into a true modern day hero. As a coach for the UCLA men's basketball team, he won a total of 10 NCAA National Championships, including seven straight titles. John Wooden was a hero because he worked hard to achieve greatness, he lived and taught by a set of goal-worthy morals, and he inspired everyone around him to be the best they could be.

Because of his hard work and dedication Wooden was wildly successful and admired. As a coach, he was so excellent in what he did that others from around the world regarded him as the best in his craft, "He is the greatest coach in the history of sports, not just basketball but in any sport," (Gale 1). Not only is he remembered as one of the best basketball coaches ever, but is regarded by one of the greatest to coach an athletic event. To be thought of as one of the best displays just how amazing Wooden was at what he did. This high regard, however, did not come without tremendous accomplishment. "No dynasty in college basketball history compares to the monster Wooden built at UCLA in the 1960s and 1970s, winning 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons before he retired in 1975. From 1967-73, the "Wizard of Westwood" guided the Bruins to a record seven straight national championships." (Gale 2). To put that in perspective, the next most championships won by a single coach is five. What he accomplished in his career as a coach is unprecedented, and will almost never be achievable by anyone ever again.

(www.coachwooden.com ())

John Wooden was a very humble man. While he could of used his success to boast and be full of pride, he instead lived by a set of morals and rules that he perfectly demonstrated and taught to others. "No coach left a blueprint as revered as Wooden's. His 15-step Pyramid of Success is a fixture in locker rooms, offices and boardrooms across the nation...Wooden accepted his success modestly. "I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs," he said." (Puma 1). These steps included loyalty, confidence, self-control, cooperation and friendship. He believed in these morals and stuck by them throughout the course of his life. Not only did he live by his set of rules, he expected those around him to do so as well, "Wooden was a strict coach, requiring a conservative appearance and priorities that reflected his own...Along with his strict coaching, Wooden was also known for his moral code, including no swearing or drinking."(Gale 1). Coach Wooden knew that in order to get the best out of his guys, he needed to make sure they lived the appropriate lifestyle. Therefore, while they played for him, he kept them under a strict set of rules that would go on to improve the quality of their lives. Finally, what truly makes John Wooden a hero was how much he inspired and motivated those surrounding him to be their best. When coaching, he would focus more on his players well being than on how well his team performed, "Wooden is remembered not only as an exceptional player and builder of a dynasty, but as a molder of men. "He taught us how to focus on one primary objective,"..."Be the best in whatever endeavor you undertake,"(Puma 1). His goal was not to win basketball games, but to ensure that his players would be ready to face whatever life had in store once they left his team. This outlook and compassion he showed for his players inspired them to be better in life. Wooden was so amazing to his players that to leave him would result in a lower quality of their life. "Walton wrote of his experience with Wooden, as quoted in the Washington Post, "When I left UCLA in 1974 and became the highest-paid player in the history of team sports at that time, the quality of my life went down. That's how special it was to have played for John Wooden and UCLA."(Gale 1). This quote sums up how much Wooden impacted the life of others. To those around him, no sum of money or fame could outshine the privilege of being coached by him.

(newsroom.ucla.edu ())