A Tribute to John Wooden

As I prepare to enjoy the World Cup, my thoughts keep floating back to John Wooden. As a young athlete, his dignified, stoic presence was as memorable as the performances of Goodrich, Kareem, Walton, or Wicks. He was the father of his team. He set a standard for every coach after him. His philosophy was my guide as a youth, high school and college coach. His handling of and respect-based relationships with his players, his patience and wisdom in understanding the irreplaceable need of continual refinement and to combine and enhance technique and functional fitness as a base was simple, brilliant and completely integrated. He explained the elementary secrets of life through basketball.

One of my most memorable Christmases was during a time of a very lean, low-budget existence. I was a newly single parent, raising a 13 year old daughter. Though a period of considerable debt, meager income and particularly basic living conditions, this was a delightful time in my life. The solidifying of the bond with my daughter that was taking place as we dealt with our situation, without allowing it to affect us, focussing on the simple things and appreciating the relationship we had with each other was transcendently magical and rewarding. I was not making much money, but I was doing what I loved for work (coaching players and training clients), embracing the honor of parenting and enhancing my application of living a Zen lifestyle. I had turned my daughter on to coach Wooden and UCLA basketball as part of our personal and coach-player relationship. For Christmas that year my daughter bought me a copy of “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court.” When I opened it, I was genuinely overjoyed, as was my daughter to see my sincere appreciation and glee. This book has and always will remain with my most cherished books that will offer inspiration for the ages.

John Wooden left us on June 4, 2010. All that he touched in any way were inspired by his great dignity, humanity and love. He coached basketball but taught about life. Every player he coached knew, without a doubt, his concern and care for them a person far exceeded their player-coach relationship.

Another extraordinary contemporary sage, Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers with great eloquence and grace had this to say about John Wooden:

“John Wooden is a “philosopher-coach” in the truest sense: a man whose beliefs, teachings, and wisdom go far beyond sports, and ultimately address how to bring out the very best in yourself and others in all areas of life…

“He is a master teacher who understands motivation, organization and psychology. Coach Wooden is able to successfully share his wisdom because he has a gift for expressing his philosophy directly and simply, in a manner accessible and applicable to everyone…

John Wooden is an American legend who would be as comfortable among the ancient sages as he is welcomed and respected by today’s citizens and leaders.”

John Wooden’s Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school is a great example of ancient Zen wisdom:

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

John Wooden was a splendid example of finding happiness through a life lived with integrity based on humanity and dedicated to service. Here, are few short quotes from the great man:

• Nothing is stronger than gentleness
• Persistence is stronger than failure
• There is no substitute for hard work
• We get stronger when we test ourselves
• Happiness begins where selfishness ends
• You are more influential than you think
• Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
• Discipline yourself and others won’t need to
• There are no shortcuts
• Always be progressing
• Give it away to get it back
• If you wish to be heard, listen
• Laugh with others, never at them
• Never mistake activity for achievement
• Learn from the past, don’t live in the past
• Take what’s available and make the most of it
• You never fail if you know you did your best
• When you are through learning, you are through
• For every artificial peak you create, there is a valley
• Be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way
• Ability can get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there
• You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react
• Much can be accomplished when no one is concerned about getting credit
• What is right is more important than who is right
• You can do more good by being good than any other way
• The difficult challenge provides the best opportunity
• Once the opportunity arises, its too late to prepare
• Greatness is being your best when your best is needed
• Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating
• Be more concerned with your character than your reputation