Reactions To Coach Wooden's Passing
by Patroclus on Jun 5, 2010 3:15 AM PDT
in Coach
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PrintThroughout Friday evening, people from all walks of life, inside the world of sports as well as without, have been sharing their thoughts on the passing of Coach Wooden. Whether in statements made through UCLA, to various media outlets, and eve non twitter, Coach touched the lives of a great number of people. Here are a few of the thoughts and statements that have been made tonight:
UCLA has issued a release on Coach Wooden's death which includes statements by several members of the Bruin family.
Dan Guerrero
"There will never be another John Wooden. While this is a huge loss for the Bruin Family, Coach Wooden's influence reaches far beyond Westwood. Coach was a tremendously significant figure and this loss will be felt by individuals from all parts of society," said UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero. "He was not only the greatest coach in the history of any sport, but he was an exceptional individual that transcended the sporting world and his enduring legacy as a role model is one we should all strive to emulate.
"... He is without a doubt one of the most historic figures of the last century and has left an indelible mark on our world. He is, as Bill Walton once said, a National Treasure, and he will be remembered as such forever."
Ben Howland
"Coach Wooden's timeless teachings, philosophies and "Pyramid of Success" not only influenced the lives of his players, but the lives of millions of people around the world. Friendship, loyalty, team spirit and competitive greatness are not just building blocks in his "Pyramid of Success," it's how Coach Wooden led his own life and taught others to live. Always the teacher and mentor, throughout his life Coach Wooden was so giving of himself and his time to everyone.
"Coach Wooden was a wonderful person and great friend who is truly a national treasure. His legacy and legend will continue to live on in each of us striving to be the "best that we are capable of becoming" as athletes, coaches, teachers, parents and human beings."
Several of Coach Wooden's players also released statements through UCLA this evening.
Andy Hill
"John Wooden was a great coach, but he was an even better person. He taught us how to learn...and then he taught us how to teach and lead others. He taught us to work together and compete...and then he taught us how to be humble in victory. He taught us that our family and friends were our greatest gift...and then his life showed us how to make that dream come true. Though my heart aches at the thought of his absence, he will never leave us...because his teachings are timeless and his lessons priceless."
Andre McCarter
"My Coach, John Robert Wooden, the example of a man who lived really loving the Lord. What an honor, with love for me to have shared with him, moments in time. My friend, my Coach who taught me the intricate details of a champion and helped shape my life. He trusted me with the basketball and he trusted me to live the best life.The King of kings has welcomed the Coach of coaches."
Lynn Shackleford
"Little did I know when I started playing basketball under John Wooden that I would be receiving not just the best in basketball instruction, but in addition a path to an honest and honorable way to live for a lifetime."
Jamaal Wilkes
"Over the years our coach-player relationship grew into a life mentoring relationship, and then into a friendship. Coach was always there during the up and down times for me and my family, especially the down times. He had a knack for saying what I needed to hear at the right time about anything. Coach would say things that stuck with me and I'd think about. Coach was fun and had a great sense of humor.
"Coach Wooden is now teaching basketball and life fundamentals in a much bigger Pavilion. Dr, Naismith may have invented the game of basketball but Coach Wooden will coach the team when they meet in Heaven. He's still in charge of practice, asking you be the best you can be on and off the court, and winning championships, eternally.
"I love him, my family loves him, we'll miss him dearly, and we'll always be grateful he cared and touched our lives."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also made a statement after Coach passed on.
"It's kind of hard to talk about Coach Wooden simply, because he was a complex man. But he taught in a very simple way. He just used sports as a means to teach us how to apply ourselves to any situation. He set quite an example. He was more like a parent than a coach. He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian. We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over. He wouldn't let us do that."
Fellow collegiate coaches share their thoughts on Coach Wooden, and his passing from this earth.
"My reaction is sadness yet at this point we have to celebrate maybe the most important guy in the history of the game. There has been no greater influence on college basketball not just about the game but the team. He's greatest coach in college basketball if not all basketball from the standpoint of all of us trying to emulate what he's done. He gave so much to basketball and education. In my opinion if he's not as important as Dr. Naismith, he's right next to him." Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun
"Today, we've lost a giant in all of sport with the passing of Coach Wooden. Quite likely, his accomplishments as a college basketball coach will never be matched. Neither will the impact he had on his players or the greater basketball community. Many have called Coach Wooden the 'gold standard' of coaches. I believe he was the 'gold standard' of people and carried himself with uncommon grace, dignity and humility. Coach Wooden's name is synonymous with excellence, and deservedly so. He was one of the great leaders - in any profession - of his generation. We are blessed that the sport of basketball benefitted from his talents for so long. Coach Wooden and his wisdom will be sorely missed." Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski
"When I think of a basketball coach the only one I ever thought of was Coach Wooden. He had a great life and helped so many coaches until well in his 90s. Every time I talked to him he would give me some words of advice. He's the best of all time. There will never be another like him and you can't say that about too many people. It's a sad day but he had such an unbelievable run. I can't tell you what he's done for game of basketball and it's not just the wins. It's the attitude and the way he carried himself. I just can't say enough about him." Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim
"I am very saddened at the passing of John Wooden. In my lifetime, I was fortunate to call him a friend. As a coach, I always admired his gentle demand for nothing but excellence and his student-athletes delivered. He created role models on and off the court, and because of him, it is something I instilled in my players from my first day as a very young coach. The takeaways we all have been blessed with from knowing John Wooden are numerous. For all of his successes, he was such a humble man. Tonight, we have lost a true American icon." Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt
Vin Scully, informing his viewers of John Wooden's death during Friday night's Dodger game
Jim Harrick talked to John Gold about his feelings upon hearing of Coach Wooden's passing
"He was my mentor, and he's a guy I learned so much basketball from. He's really responsible for everything I've ever done. It's a sad day, even though we knew it was coming. He meant so much to everybody. Probably the greatest thing I could say is he had the least ego of anyone I ever knew. Never let anything he accomplished get in the way he felt. He was a superb man. Boy I tell you, we all looked up to him." ...
"I've followed him for a long time. I saw him at Christmas for a long time. Spent a long time with him just talking. My wife passed away in November, his wife had passed long ago, and he sat with me for so long. He really grabbed me close and held me, told me, 'I know how you feel.' We talked for a long, long time..."
Earl Watson described to the Indy Star the role that John Wooden played in his becoming a Bruin, and in his life.
"You go to UCLA because of coach Wooden," Watson said by phone from Los Angeles late Friday night. "You think of UCLA, you think of coach Wooden. You knew you were representing UCLA, but you also knew you were representing coach Wooden and everything he built."
"Everything he has done for basketball, his creativity with the game, his pioneering with the game, to me it was a chance to be part of something so spectacular and historical," Watson said. "It was almost like you had a chance to meet somebody like JFK or Martin Luther King. That's who coach Wooden will always be to me."
Former Duke University player and 2002 Wooden Award honoree Jason Williams had this to say about the loss of Coach.
"Today is a very sad day. For me personally, in my entire life, when I've thought about college basketball, the name that comes to the first of your list is John Wooden. That's the only name that can be associated with being the best in the elite of their league in college basketball. For what he was able to accomplish, for some of the people he coached -- who he not only turned into great basketball players, but into greater people -- says enough about John Wooden's legacy."
Dick Vitale wrote a piece for ESPN.com with his reaction to learning of Coach Wooden's death
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame coach John Wooden on Friday night.
When you talk about the definition of the word "class," you could go to Webster's Dictionary and there should be a picture of Coach Wooden right there. He handled himself with such dignity, the way he treated people.
...
... Our paths crossed when I was at the University of Detroit, coaching against Michigan in the NCAA tournament. I was so thrilled to see the announcers prior to that game -- Hall of Famers Curt Gowdy and Coach Wooden. I explained to my team what these two men meant to their professions. It was an incredible experience in my life.
...
I have been fortunate to receive a number of awards in my lifetime, truly blessed indeed. I will never forget the thrill when I received the John Wooden Pyramid of Success award.
Let me share with you a story about Wooden and his impact on people. As a high school coach, I wrote to a number of people to try to learn their concepts and philosophies. The day I received a letter from Wooden, with the pyramid of success, I couldn't wait to share it with my high school team.
The Associated Press obtained reactions from several other notable figures, including the following.
"Coach Wooden was more than a Hall of Fame basketball player and coach; he was an incredible man whose dedication and leadership on the court inspired generations of Californians. He meant so much to Los Angeles, California and the entire basketball community around the world. Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones as they remember the extraordinary life of this coaching legend." Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
"You need not be a sports fan to mourn the passing of John Wooden. Coach Wooden took the self-sacrifice and teamwork required to be successful in basketball and modeled them into a paradigm for life. Through basketball, he taught generations of players and fans the values of love, friendship, responsibility and humility. `Make friendship a true art' and `Give thanks for your blessings and ask for guidance every day' were among his favorite maxims. I give thanks to God for the life and wisdom of John Wooden. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace." Cardinal Roger Mahony
"All of us at Purdue, past and present, are immensely saddened by the death of John Wooden, and we send our deepest regrets to his loved ones and friends. Coach Wooden has been a member of the Purdue family since he studied and played here 80 years ago. He lived a life of true leadership, steady and amazing excellence, and unfailing kindness to others. There was no one like Coach Wooden. He leaves a lasting imprint." France A. Cordova, President of Purdue University (Coach Wooden's Alma Mater)
Even people that you would likely never associate with Basketball, Coach Wooden or UCLA have shared their feelings of Coach. People such as motivational speaker Tony Robbins (via twitter)
Coach Wooden 99yrs old passed away today he won 10 NCAA championships but also 1 of best human being I ever knew. He touched so many lives
Far more people than just Tony have been using Twitter to talk about Coach. Rick Fox tweeted this upon hearing the news.
40 minutes of silence for not only a great basketball coach a great LIFE COACH! we all wish we could have played for you. RIP Coach Wooden.
Dueling football coaches have also been using this service to honor Coach. Rick Neuheisal posted the following earlier tonight
Coach Wooden will forever live in the hearts and minds of all who were touched by him. What a truly wonderful man. Coach, you will be missed
While under normal circumstances I would not be using this individual's thoughts for much of anything, these are not normal circumstances. Pete Carroll was saddened by Coach Wooden's passing.
So saddened about Coach Wooden's passing, but so thankful for the impact he had on me & countless others. Thank you, Coach
Even Alyssa Milano felt moved to make a post with the message:
Rest in peace, John Wooden.
Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. ~John Wooden #Quote
Over the 99 years that he graced the earth, John Wooden touched the lives of an immeasurable number of people.
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We were all his family
During his amazing tenure at Westwood and even after he retired, Coach was always accessible, always walked around campus greeting students, like any professor or administrator, just more popular and better recognized.
I was privileged to know Coach during the 1970s, when I wrote a sports column for the UCLA Monthly. Unlike some of his fellow coaches, who wouldn’t deign to talk to a lowly campus staff member with a monthly deadline, Coach always made time for me, always held his calls, always gave me a tidbit that the dailies wouldn’t have. By contrast, one coach from another sport once stood me up, pointing out that I wouldn’t want to take away from his time watching films, would I?
So much is made of his humility, and a Jim Murray column on the ESPN website says that better than I ever could. And Vin Scully’s Shakespearean citation at Dodger Stadium befit both him and his longtime friend.
To me, it was his kindness that stood out. I never get tired of pointing out how accomplished his graduates were, ministers and lawyers and authors, so many honor students, so much attention paid to their education by the man who saw basketball as a lesson for life. All of us were important to him. He genuinely cared.
I haven’t seen him for perhaps 30 years. On my trips back to LA, I often thought of seeking a brief audience, but I knew that too many people made demands on his time, and I never wanted to do that—it would have been selfish. I miss him. I’ll never forget him, and I’ll always treasure having known him, however briefly.
Three Stories
I was lucky to have met Coach in the fall of 1997. As several of you know, I worked in the athletic department as a student. On this day, the girl who was supposed to fill in at the reception desk called in sick, so I had to fill in. When he walked in, I stood up, smiled, and asked if I could get an autograph for my old man. I told him how my parents would tell me they should have had me earlier so that I could have enjoyed when he was coaching and I thanked him. Coach was warm, friendly, and gave me his undivided attention. When he walked into where the main offices were (this was before they remodeled the Morgan Center) I saw how everyone gathered around him and smiled. I don’t think anyone could not smile around him.
My second story involves my brother-in-law. He used to work at the bank where Coach did his banking. About 6 or 7 years ago, Coach had to use a cane on a regular basis. One day, Coach walked in without his cane. My brother-in-law said, “Coach, you don’t have your cane today.” Coach smiled and said, “No, I guess I must have forgotten in. At my age, if I can get this far without it, that’s a good thing.”
My last has to do with my mom. Most of the time here, I talk about my old man because he we watched and listened to sports growing up, but Mom also had a huge influence on me going to UCLA. Growing up with two older sisters and parents who had to work around the clock just to provide the basics, she knew nothing about sports. She met my dad in 1969, right in the middle of the seven straight championships. She said she was so impressed at how cool and calm Coach was. As the years went on, Mom used Coach’s quotes and teachings to encourage me and her vocational ed students. Because of Coach, Mom became a UCLA fan, and while my old man will root for the other team, Mom can never bring herself to do that because she thinks about Coach and what those four letters mean.
I take great comfort in knowing that Coach is reunited this morning with his beloved Nell and I’m sure she has already introduced him to his hero Abraham Lincoln. May we be as lucky to be half the person Coach was in this life.
Sincere condolences ...
… to Coach Wooden’s family, and his extended family of players, friends, and Bruin fans everywhere.
We join you in mourning the passing of a wonderful coach, a wonderful man, and an inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Fox Prime Ticket will air the Wooden Sculley Nokia theatre appearance.
According to TJ Simmers:
“Scully, who called Wooden earlier this week, is urging Fox Sports Prime Ticket to air the Scully & Wooden event again. A Prime Ticket spokesman said it will run Monday night after the Dodgers-Cardinals game.”
Go Bruins!
We miss him already...
But somewhere in heaven angels are wearing their socks perfectly.
John Wooden passes away
The basketball great has cut down in his final net in his greatest victory of all.
He was loved and will be missed by more than fans of college basketball, but fans of life.
My condolences...
…to Wooden’s family, friends, former players and Bruins fans.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
Don't know how I missed this last night...
…and until now, but the most sincerest of condolences to the Bruins fanbase.
Roll Bama Roll - The Champagne of Bama Blogs.
Can anyone recall such an outpouring ...
of such sincere emotion and appreciation of a mans life? I cannot. What a testimony!!!
My Thoughts
Pardon the length but these are the thoughts I have this morning and posted to my Boston-centric blog …
It’s a bittersweet morning for me, being a UCLA alum and longtime Bruins sports fan. On the one hand, losing Coach Wooden is a terribly sad moment. And to see the outpouring of love for Coach is a bit overwhelming. But on the other hand, there is also sweetness because today gives us a chance to celebrate a great life. A rich life. One of the most "full" lives imaginable. Coach may have passed on last night, and the world will be a worse place without him, but he gave so much while he was here and remembering and honoring that contribution is what today is about for me.
Full disclosure, I didn’t grow up a UCLA hoops fan. In fact, growing up in Santa Monica and being a contrarian, I actually rooted against UCLA, and specifically UCLA basketball. But I eventually warmed to UCLA and after attending school there, Bruin Basketball became a tier one rooting interest for me, right alongside the Red Sox and Celtics. And if you know me, you know how seriously I treat my "tier one" teams.
So I am familiar with all Coach Wooden did for UCLA. I know all the numbers. I have seen the championship banners. I have heard all the testimonials. All of this stuff has been well covered so I won’t regurgitate any of it this morning. But I think all that stuff barely scratches the surface of why Wooden was so special. Yes, his resume will never be duplicated. But the reason I am sad this morning has nothing to do with the fact that Wooden once won everything in sight. Instead, it’s because the world has lost a man who was so caring, so gentle, so honorable and so diligent in his pursuit of being a great person.
I never met Coach and it sounds like this makes me among a very small minority of UCLA fans but I do have one anecdote that I would like to share.
I have a friend who grew up in New England and attended Notre Dame, but he was a big Wooden fan growing up. And after law school, while clerking for a federal judge in San Diego, he penned a letter to Coach. I don’t recall exactly what was in the letter or whether it solicited a response but a response is what he got. But instead of receiving your standard fan response with the signed picture and form letter, my friend received an invite to lunch with Coach. Full disclosure, this was not brokered by the "make a wish" foundation. But the result might as well have been as my friend accepted the invite, drove up to LA and spent two hours eating lunch at John Wooden’s home. How crazy is that? But as crazy as it sounds, I am not so sure this story is that extraordinary as far as Coach was concerned. Just a hunch, but I get the feeling that hundreds of others have similar stories to tell.
What I find so moving this morning is all the love that is pouring in for this man. Just take a moment to glance through some of the comments. And if you want to tear up, take a moment to browse through some of the photos and comments here. It is simply extraordinary how revered and loved this man is. And that can’t be by accident. And clearly, this is not some faux outpouring that lacks sincerity. Instead, it is clear to me that Coach had that touch. That ability to inspire people by his words and actions. And what you are seeing today is his affected community grieving. That says a lot to me. That says Wooden was more than iconic. Icons are worshipped. Wooden was loved.
And so John Wooden moves on. He lived an incredible life. He experienced unparalleled success as a teacher, and a coach and a member of the community. His time on this Earth was never wasted. And that is what I will remember about Coach. He always did it right. He always did it with compassion. And he always did it sincerity. He truly was the best.
by dkbilson on Jun 5, 2010 8:41 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Condolences from the SE
Guys, I am an Alabama Graduate, and I just wanted to drop in to send my condolences. Coach Bryant had an incredible influence on my life, even though I was born 4 years after his death, and even with Coach Wooden’s passing, he will continue to influence Bruins for generations, the great ones always do. In my humble opinion, Bryant and Wooden are in a stratosphere all of their own as coaches, but as much as it pains me to say, as a man, Wooden transcended even Bryant, and has influenced the world. I have read some of his book, and feel that Wooden is the model that I want to live my life like.
Congratulations to the Bruin family for having a legend for years, and condolences to the world for losing one of the greatest men in history.
God Bless the Bruin Nation, and the World, as Coach Wooden looks down upon us all.
"What can clean puke off a door and carpet"- Shank
President Obama
just released a statement on Coach on ESPN Sportscenter this morning. Should be on ESPN.com soon.
The reaction to Coach’s passing is such a testament to his life and what he has done for the world through his teachings and life accomplishments. How grateful for us Bruins to be so connected to our beloved Coach.
A modern day confucius.
President Barack Obama and the White House statement:
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of an incredible coach, and an even better man, John Wooden. As a basketball fan, I remember fondly his ten NCAA championships, his unrivaled winning streak at UCLA, and the caliber of players he mentored. But as an American, I salute the way he achieved all that success – with modesty, and humility, and by wholeheartedly dedicating his life to the betterment of others. Even after he became one of the game’s early heroes, he worked as a high school teacher. And for the rest of his life, on and off the court, he never stopped teaching. He never stopped preparing his players, and everyone he met, to be their best. Despite all the records and the championships, he once said that it wasn’t the tournaments or the games he missed the most – it was the practice and the preparation. He is reunited with his beloved wife, Nell, now; and my thoughts and prayers are with his children, James and Nancy; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and all whose lives were forever changed because John Wooden lived his so well.”
Fly The Banners
With the many that he brought to us, one modest way to celebrate his life and show our Bruin unity is for each of us to hoist our own banners and let ’em fly from our porches and from our cars in his honor.
From Chancellor Block:
The university flag in front of Pauley Pavilion will be lowered to half-staff.
So Long Coach Wooden We will miss you! Thank you for the class you have showed!
I’m sure many of you have seen John Wooden’s 23-point list of the “Bruin Attitude.”
Here are a few of Coach Wooden’s rules that would apply to every team:
- Huddle up as a team on free throws
- Run to the bench when substituted for
- Run to timeouts
- Run to the locker room
- Never quit on a play
- No poor body language
- Root for your teammates while on bench
- Attitude of gratitude – say "thank you"
- Look people in the eye when communicating
- Be humble in victory, gracious in defeat
- Keep the locker room clean
Coach Wooden called his list. It’s not the “Bruin Rules,” but the “Bruin Attitude.” It’s part of the culture. It’s how we do things here.
Long Live Coach Wooden’s Bruin Attitude.
GO Bruins!
MG
Alyssa Milano is a major LA sports geek
She’s a regular at Dodger games, writes blogs for MLB, and even runs a clothing line for sports-themed apparel cut and tailored for women. Nice to see a non-Bruin give Coach some love.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
My condolences....
on your loss. It’s hard to lose someone who has meant so much to your program, and to many of you personally as well. He lived well, and will never be forgotten.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Sad Day
Condolences from a Bama fan, he was a winner! Can’t help but feel the loss of a classy person.
From a Bama fan that understands the passing of a great coach...
…there may never be another to replace Coach Wooden, but there is no replacing the memories and traditions that were instilled with his gracing the Bruins sideline.
Never stop talking about how it was and how it should influence where you should be. Never accept mediocrity from those who are on the bench/in the locker-room. Always expect for those to do their best to be the best and never let anyone tell you that you’re being idyllic and looking backward. To remember your history is to always remember the way things should be done.
Pardon if I don’t know the correct cheer, but I will give you a hearty, “GO BRUINS!” for your loss.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
Sincere thanks to all the Bama fans for your kind words.
I remember the last time your team came to play at the Rose Bowl a few years back, you were some of the most gracious, while still most enthusiastic fans I’ve come across in the 14+ years I’ve had season tickets.
Again, you have our thanks. ROLL TIDE.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
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