John Wooden

(Wooden with his trophies)

             Winning ten NCAA National championships was a feat unheard of. John Wooden wasn't an average man. His actions and accomplishments on the court aren't achieved by a normal human being. The history of College Basketball was changed because of one man's actions and teachings. No one would have guessed a migrating farm boy would become the legend that he is today. Becoming such a man with great qualities of character and sport smarts came from his parents. Wooden's achievements at The University of California Los Angeles are by which all College Basketball coaches are likely to be judged on. Many of these achievements will never be reached by any coach. His teachings were like no other; burning character into each of his players' minds, and shaping them into not just a superb athlete but a gentleman also. He placed the athletic principles of conditioning, skill, development, and most importantly teamwork at the core of any team's success.

(Wooden teaches a player))

             John Wooden is a man who was determined to be successful. His leadership ability was outstanding and was the key to all of his success during his coaching career. When he was faced with negative situations around him, he didn't curl up into a ball. He kept his players in line and focused on the task at hand. "The team played in an undersized arena and Wooden's disciplined ways sometimes alienated talented players. By the early 1960's changes came to UCLA. A new, larger arena was built, and better players were introduced into the program. In 1964 with a small unheralded lineup, Wooden's Bruins won their first NCAA championship." With only a small support from the school and little motivation, Wooden brought home a championship trophy. Even though his coaching was criticized by many, he didn't change his ways. He stuck with what he knew best, and was a true leader on the court when nobody was behind them for support.

( the pyramid of success))

Wooden showed the sports world what a true superstar athlete looked like. Superstar athletes are people who are respectful, a good teammate, and have fair judgments. In a time where there was hate and discrimination all around, he didn't give in to any of it. He was faced with many situations where he was looked down upon as a coach. Wooden received much criticism throughout his coaching career. He didn't just go with what people told him to do, he did what was right. "At Indiana State University, where, in his first season, he refused a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes bid because of their whites only policy." Denying this offer was a milestone action because of the material things behind it. From withdrawing from the tournament, he lost money, fame, and a chance to bring back a trophy to Indiana State. He did this because of what he stood for as a coach, and as a person. Discrimination was at its full force during the time he started coaching. He didn't follow in others' footsteps; he made new footsteps in the sand for people to follow.

             John Wooden was a man who possessed leadership, respect, and legendary qualities to which no other college basketball coach can even be compared. He has never let any of his players down because of his positive attitude, and meaningful teachings. John Wooden is a man of excellence who is gone but not forgotten. His teachings, quotes, and actions stick with us all today. He set the bar on what it takes to be an athlete, and also molded boys into gentleman. College basketball wouldn't have been the same without John Wooden.