Essay On John Wooden

“Be more concerned with you character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” These words of John Wooden are just a few out of many wise quotes millions of people, not just athletes, are inspired by today and likely will continue to be inspired by for a very long time. Basketball fans and experts consider John Wooden as one of, if not, the greatest coaches of all time. Much of his success is a result of his beliefs and coaching system. Knowing the background of Coach Wooden’s playing and coaching career plays a significant role in understanding how he practiced his beliefs with his teams and how his philosophy and success intertwined to set a precedent for the remainder of collegiate basketball.

Before looking at his coaching philosophy, it is first important to be introduced to Wooden’s background and the early achievements he reached. John Wooden was born in 1910 in Hall, Indiana to Joshua and Roxie Wooden. Later in his life, his family to to Centerton and then to Martinsville (both in Indiana). Coach Wooden grew up with three brothers and two sisters. Legendary basketball player, Fuzzy Vandivier, was his role model as a child. At Martinsville High School, he led his team to three state championship games, winning the state title in 1927. Wooden also was a three time All-State selection (coachwooden.com).

As he moved onto college, his accomplishments certainly did not cease. Coach Wooden played basketball at Purdue University where he was coached by Ward “Piggy” Lambert who Wooden called “the greatest influence” he had (coachwooden.com). In 1932, the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the Helms Athletic Foundation National Champio...

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...many successful books that inspire current coaches and athletes and will likely continue to do so in future generations. John Wooden also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 to commemorate his time spent in the United States Navy (coachwooden.com).

John Wooden reached unimaginable heights during his basketball coaching career. Many consider him as the most successful coach of any sport to ever live. Wooden was consistent with his character and used his background to fuel his philosophy in order to design a pathway of success for each boy or man who ever played for him. He was more concerned with his character than with his reputation and this resulted in the respect and success Wooden gained during his lifetime. Although he passed away at age ninety-nine on June 4, 2010, he will always be considered a longtime success and great inspiration by many.