With profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best...

With profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best in ourselves. In this inspiring talk he shares the advice he gave his players at UCLA, quotes poetry and remembers his father's wisdom.

almost 3 years ago drebruin 7 comments 4 recs |

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Thanks for posting this dre

by Nestor on Mar 27, 2009 4:47 AM PDT reply actions

Wisdom

Some timeless lessons for just about any aspect of life – a very good way to start the day.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Mar 27, 2009 6:22 AM PDT reply actions

Goose Bumps

Only Coach could hold my attention for a 17 minute “talking head” piece.

Having been blessed to be a Bruin during Coach’s time and, because I was a yell leader, close to his program, listening to him, this morning I see how much the Pyramid shaped my life. I’ve written a lot on BN about grading effort not accomplishment — and how much I wanted to do that while I was teaching, and now I can see how that part of me was nurtured by those days way back when I thought all I was doing was cheering for a BBall team.

I sort of knew Doug McIntosh — he was dating one of Ms. ’66’s sorority sisters — and it is great to hear, these many years later, Coach’s feeling that Doug was the one who was “successful” within Coach’s definition of success. Many will remember Doug as an unheralded anchor to a great team — very much the way I see PAA, today.

John Wooden is a national treasure. Can there be anything better than being associated with the school that can proudly claim him as its own?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 27, 2009 7:06 AM PDT reply actions

More Memories

Young McIntosh played behind Fred Slaughter on the Bruin team that one our first National Championship. Slaughter played center althoug, IIRC, he was 6’5; in many ways, PAA reminds me of Slaughter. I’m old and don’t remember things so well, but I think Slaughter went to Law School and later served as an Assistant Dean of the UCLA Law School.

The next year, McIntosh was the starting center on the team that won our second National Champonship; he was a junior.

We start the 1965-66 season — our returning National Championship team playing our freshman team. A blow out? Yes. But, not the one you’d expect. This was the year that a freshman team, featuring Lou Alcindor, destroyed the varsity in that game. I think they were so shaken to be the second best team on campus that they didn’t win the Conference, and because of that didn’t get to go to the tournament.

Doug McIntosh was a good guy and I’m pleased to see him praised by Coach.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 27, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Gracious sakes alive, I love Coach Wooden!!

He inspires me every time I see him.

Class of 66, I agree with everything you say about him. Thank you for sharing your memories.

I remember Doug McIntosh too, and remember thinking he was a prototypical Coach Wooden player. It was very interesting to hear Coach’s perspective on it.

by waters96 on Mar 27, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions