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Can you imagine what the current crop of college ballers would be like if they had a mentor and role model like Wooden. I have the Pyramid of Success on my wall at work.He hated dunking, showboating, selfishness, hedonism, etc. I could not be happier that Coach Wooden also called both places his home.
Even a hippie like Bill Walton, the antithesis to a noble, mature person like Wooden---respects and admires "Coach." Wooden knew how to reach all. He'd loathe the brainwashing and lack of civility rampant on today's college and high school campuses.This bio spans a wonderful, rich life, leaving no stone or thought unturned; no mind or theory unchallenged or ungrown.A remarkbale living legend, G-d bless Mr. His quotes---taken from other coaches, his father and his own mind---are ones to heed.
I was raised in Southern California and now reside in Indiana. This was not required, but he knew all these attributes were necessary to grow "student athletes" into successful players and adults. Wooden (who is still alive at the age of 97) and all he has done for the game and collegians everywhere.
Though he clearly is a midwesterner at heart---as am I now---his legend truly grew in Los Angeles.As my title indicates, we need more coaches like John Wooden here in 2008. He had depth, insight, was spiritual, a reader, a thinker, etc.
His own heroes include Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. John Wooden has figured out some of the secrets of life. This book should be required reading in "Human Being 101". Like them, he is a treasure for all of us because his life and lessons demonstrate what it means to live to "our personal best" in a way that is simple, profound and so clear. And he passes them on directly, in a way that can be transformational for a reader. John Wooden is a hero of mine.
His life and those he has influenced are proof of that. They all know who John Wooden is. We grow up hearing about the importance of developing " good character", not always knowing what it is, or just how to obtain it. I use his wisdom for myself, and I pass it on to all my students. His life blesses us all. All of Wooden's books give his personal guidelines for developing character and living a decent life, whether we are athletes, musicians, teachers, or anything else. Wooden's teachings have stood the test of time.
It touches on each chapter of Coach Wooden's life, and particularly shows the infuence of his father, his high school and college coaches and his growth thru experienceThis is a fun, easy read that leaves the reader wiser. This has led to a cottage industry in Wooden books.This book is short, personal and focuses on life lessons learned from the narrative of Coach's life. It doesn't attempt to be weighty, just a good read, that imparts wisdom without hitting you over the head with it. John Wooden is one of my heroes. Highly recommend After he retired at the peak of his game, he quietly stepped off the stage. When I was growing up, his teams were dominant, but more importantly, they made the game beautiful to watch. With the rush of books on leadership in the 1990's through the present, it was inevitable, and overdue, that folks take time to examine Coach Wooden's approach to leadership.
It gives an insight into a great coach and even greater man. This is a great book to help any coach of any sport get a good feel for the right way to coach young players. Teach them good life lessons and skills.
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