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 ...
John Woodens Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school:
* 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.
NICE
7 Consecutive Championships. Has anyone won even 3 consecutive ones?
Thank you! That's why I have been pushing this particualr topic, even though it's a minor one in the great scheme of things. We conservatives need to do more rational thinking, in my opinion.
Thanks for posting that. I had heard rumors of this before, but now I’ve got some facts. For what its worth, I don’t think this means Wooden wasn’t a good coach, but it certainly is much easier to be a “great coach” when you’re getting all the good players.
I absolutely agree with you. Knee jerk reactions, cattle/sheep lines, and mummy walking are not my idea of a life worth living. Besides if one really believes anything, if they can argue their point, show their point, or explain their point—what’s the point? :-). I’ll get back to you as mentioned.
can=can’t
I made to the UCLA campus on a visit to a college buddy in 1977. Made it a point to find the trophy case for all those NCAA championships. Very impressive especially to a guy from Indiana. I would like to point out that there were only sixteen teams in most of those tournament years.
My bad. It varied between 22 & 25 teams during those years
In all those except maybe 1975, Wooden got first round passes, but still had to win 4 games for the championship, except in 75 when he had to win 5 games. Today they have to win 6 games for the Championship. NO other team has even won 3 in a row. wow.
Here is a question I’d like an opinion on. Phil Jackson might win his 11th Championship as a coach. How does it compare with Wooden’s 10?
Hard for me to compare. First off not a fan of the NBA game & culture. Second there is way too much star treatment given at that level.
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