John Robert Wooden (October 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010) was an American basketball coach. He was a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (inducted in 1961) and as a coach (inducted in 1973). He was the first person ever enshrined in both categories. Only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since been so honored. His ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period while at UCLA are unmatched by any other college basketball coach.
John Wooden wrote the book on how to succeed not only at basketball, but in life. He was a man who began teaching UCLA students how to play basketball by first teaching them how to put on their shoes and socks (literally) because he believed so deeply in fundamentals. He also believed in having a strong moral foundation to build everything else on in life. To give you an idea of his great character, he has been writing letters to his late wife on the 21st of every month for over 30 years because that was the date she passed away. I didn't know much about him, except for the fact that he coached Karim Abdul Jabar and Bill Walton at UCLA, until recently. He passed away earlier this month at the age of 99. They began airing shows about his life on ESPN which is where I fell in love with his his life lessons and principles. The show I saw featured Wooden alongside one of my all time heroes, Vin Scully (voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers), in a roast style interview. I wanted to see the show to hear Vin talk, but the real presence on the show was John Wooden. I was immediately drawn in to his presence, frail as he was (97 at the time), because he bared the striking resemblance to my late grandfather, but had the wit of my late grandmother. At 99 years of age, he was as sharp as a tac and didn't let the interviewer stump him with any of his witty questions for a second. After listening to him speak, I realized that he didn't have to "think" of an answer because he already had rooted beliefs and principles to base all of his answers on. I found out through watching this show that he created one of the most inspiring tools to success I have ever seen. It is called John Wooden's Pyramid Of Success. From foundation to peak, it defines the character traits that any successful person should have to achieve their goals. It just so happens that his pyramid kind of looks like a mountain, so I thought it fitting to include this as my final message (one that requires a slight bit of looking at) as we all make our way to the Great Yosemite Valley and our final hikes of the season. I hope you will get something out of this and keep it with you somehow as you reach the top of Half Dome, the Falls, or any hike you have chosen. Enjoy, and see you at the top (literally and figuratively)!!!
This may require a bit of magnification or google imaging it. It is worth taking a look at, and just may help give you the extra inspiration you need to reach the finish line!!!
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