Posted on 06/04/2010 7:40:24 PM PDT by jazusamo
John Wooden, the UCLA basketball coach who became an icon of American sports while guiding the Bruins to an unprecedented 10 national championships in the 1960s and '70s and remained in the spotlight during retirement with his "Pyramid of Success" motivational program, has died. He was 99.
Though his fame extended beyond the sports world, it was Wooden's achievements during 27 seasons at UCLA that put him in the company of such legendary coaches as the Green Bay Packers' Vince Lombardi and Notre Dame's Knute Rockne.
Wooden's string of championships began with back-to-back victories in 1964 and '65. Starting in 1967, his team ran off seven consecutive NCAA titles -- going 38 tournament games without a loss -- a feat unmatched before or since in men's college basketball.
The Bruins won with such dominant big players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. They also won with teams -- such as Wooden's last squad in 1974-75 -- that had no marquee stars.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
My heart dropped when I heard. Seemed like he lived his life well. God bless him.
I would go out on a limb and say that Wooden is THE greatest coach of all time.
I had the pleasure of meeting him and getting his autograph about ten years ago in California. That UCLA run is IMO the greatest sports record of all time.
I’ve spent the last half hour watching this clip several times, one of the greatest basketball games ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLfCdIU3dC4
The greatest Coach ever, an even better man / husband. He has his just reward and reunited with his beloved Wife.
I had the pleasure of meeting him and getting his autograph about ten years ago in California. That UCLA run is IMO the greatest sports record of all time.
I’ve spent the last half hour watching this clip several times, one of the greatest basketball games ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLfCdIU3dC4
Great coach, fine man-coached the fundamentals and just won, baby, won.
bttt for a great coach!
Prayers for a saintly man.
bttt for a great coach!
...
The years have left their imprint
On my hands and on my face
Erect no longer is my walk
And slower is my pace
But there is no fear within my heart
Because I’m growing old
I only wish I had more time
To better serve my Lord
When I’ve gone to Him in prayer
He has brought me inner peace
And soon my cares and worries
And other problems will cease
He has helped me in so many ways
He has never let me down
Why should I fear the future
When soon I could be near His crown
Though I know down here my time is short
There is endless time up there
And He will forgive and keep me
Ever in His loving care
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=43772
Rest in Peace Coach Wooden.
He was a class act all the way. I really thought he would make it to the century mark.
Amen.
5.56mm
I absolutely agree!
Lived in So CA during his tenure and followed UCLA closely, he was a GREAT coach and a fine man.
Thanks for the link!
AMEN!
Thanks
A true gentlemen. Prayers for his family, friends, and all the many lives he touched as a coack.
I attended Coach’s basketball camp in the early ‘70s at Cal Lutheran College and Pepperdine U. He gave us all individual instruction in both basketball and life. ...something I’ll treasure forever. Wisest man I’ve ever met. One of my heroes.
RIP, Coach.
The greatest coach EVER to coach the game of basketball. First we lost the great Chick Hearn, now we lose John Wooden..both of their memories will NEVER be forgotten. Both are right now doing play-by-play from heaven. God Bless ya Coach
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