Respected basketball coach John Wooden called his dad “the best man I’ve ever known.” Josh Wooden taught John the character that John ended up passing along to 10 national championship teams at UCLA, helping them to win a whopping 80% of their games along the way. John Wooden is renowned for his “Woodenisms,” such as “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
John received a 3×5 card from his dad at the age of 12 that resided in his wallet for years, getting tattered and torn, until he handed it to his own son a generation later. It listed “7 suggestions to follow” and came with the message: “Son, try to live up to this.”
The 7 “suggestions” become the outline of the vital behaviors that led John to a path of incomparable character, leadership and success, both on and off the basketball court.
Pat Williams, senior VP of the Orlando Magic basketball team and friend of John’s, shares in his book Coach Wooden, many quotes from people who were impacted by John Wooden the most.
“John Wooden not only taught his players about basketball, he taught them how to live and appreciate life. “ – Tommy LaSorda, LA Dodgers
“I never heard him say an unkind word, and when you see someone live that way, it inspires you.” – John’s daughter Nan
“Coach made me the player I was and the person I am.” – NBA and UCLA star Bill Walton
Few athletes of any sport who have heard the stories, read the books or followed the lore of John Wooden don’t wish they had had a little time to sit in on his practices and a get “schooled” with his wisdom. So, this Father’s Day, perhaps a little learning from Josh Wooden “7’s Suggestions” via Pat Williams will do any daughter or son a bit of good.
- BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. – “This is not a command to be selfish or self-absorbed. It’s a command to be faithful to your highest self, to your values, your honor, your integrity, the reputation you wish to maintain,” Williams says. Refuse to betray your values. First, know who you are. Then honor that. Don’t compromise and fall prey to culture and peer pressure.
- HELP OTHERS. – Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. It was what he believed and modeled in life, always accessible, always giving time and talents to others. Who can you help today? Look at those older and those younger in your circles of life? Who you don’t notice, you can’t help.
- MAKE EACH DAY YOUR MASTERPIECE. – “If you make each day your masterpiece, by week’s end, you’ve had a heck of a week.” Preparation. Goals. A daily investment in your own passions and in the lives of those around you. Prioritize. Eliminate procrastination. Keep a log of where your time goes and make sure it’s properly spent.
- DRINK DEEPLY FROM GOOD BOOKS, INCLUDING THE GOOD BOOK. – Don’t just sip, drink deeply. The vast knowledge contained in books is there for any who desires to learn. And don’t forget the book of the ages, the Bible. Wooden’s Christian faith led him through is life, and he was often seen reading the bible, Williams says.
“Coach Wooden was very purposeful in the way he read,” a former player said. “He always read books that he thought would improve his life in some way; that would make him a better person.”
- MAKE FRIENDSHIP A FINE ART. – Choose wisely; cultivate them purposely and diligently.
Quality vs. Quantity.
Depth vs. Superficial.
“The fine art of friendship means that I should have the finest of friends, who want me to be the best I can be, and I should be motivated to give something extra back to my friends,” — NBA star Jamaal Wilkes
- BUILD A SHELTER AGAINST A RAINY DAY. – “The issue here is not one of accumulating material possessions but one of accumulating values, virtues, character traits, faith in God, strong family relationships and enduring friendships,” Williams says. “These are the ‘possessions’ that will help you survive the rain storms and floods of life…Your character and your values are like vegetables that grow in the sunshine, which you can store away in the cellar of your soul. They will always be there to feed on in the lean times, the rainy seasons of life.”
“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” – John Wooden
- PRAY FOR GUIDANCE, COUNT AND GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY. – Coach Wooden wrote: “So often we fail to acknowledge what we have because we are so concerned about what we want.” Jamaal Wilkes said: “Coach never wastes time worrying about things he can’t control. He knows that God already has everything handled. His attitude is ‘Keep the faith – and the faith will keep you.’”
John Wooden fathered 2 children, but he parented 1,000s — 1000’s of players, followers, eager leaders in-the-making. Maybe hundreds of 1,000s.
HAS YOUR FATHER IMPACTED YOU IN A POSITIVE WAY? Celebrate your Father today by sharing “7 IMPACTS” with him.
And if your father is absent or passed on, remember to continue learning lessons from others. Father-figures can look like teachers, coaches, pastors, group leaders, family friends, neighbors — or John Wooden.
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden