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R.I.P. John Wooden, The Wizard of Westwood

944 views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  ben23 
#1 ·
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/John-Wooden-dies-UCLA-coach-99-060410

I don't know how many are familiar with this man, but I felt he deserved a thread here. Not only do I consider him the greatest college basketball coach of all-time, I consider him to be one of, if not the, greatest coach of any sport period. He exuded class and dignity in his manner, and was as hard-nosed a competitor as a player and a coach as there ever has been.

Some of his accomplishments...

Lifetime coaching record--- 620 wins, 147 losses
15 Conference Championships at UCLA
10 national titles in 12 years including 7 in a row (This wasn't like the NCAA tournament of now...back then, you didn't even qualify for the Big Dance unless you won your conference) Plus, the closest men's coaches to him for titles is Adolph Rupp and Coach K, both with 4.

First of three people to be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach.


Over the years, I have had the chance of meeting celebrities like the Rock, Jenny McCarthy, Cindy Crawford, etc. But a few years ago I had the chance to meet Wooden at the initial inductions of the College Basketball Hall of Fame. I talked to him for only a few minutes, but I hung onto his every word as if my life depended on it. I have never been in awe of any celebrity in that way. Plus, guys like Bill Walton and Dean Smith were also eating out of the man's hand. I also just finished reading one of his books, "A Game Plan For Life." A lot of what he learned on the basketball court can be used in real life.

R.I.P. to the Wizard of Westwood. Thank you, and I hope WF joins me in a ten-bell salute to the man.
 
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