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IN THIS ISSUE: FRONT ROW Happy Birthday, Coach SIDELINE Trivia Test: What Are His Favorite Mementos?
This special issue is dedicated to legendary student-athlete and teacher-coach John Wooden, whose principles and philosophy have contributed greatly to strengthening the character of America’s youth and upholding the spirit of athletic competition. We hope you enjoy this issue and are inspired by the words, thoughts, vision, and humanity of one of
Just before our 16th National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week kicked off its annual weeklong celebration across the country last month highlighting the importance of character, Coach John Wooden celebrated his 99th birthday. You see, John Wooden, more than anyone else I’ve known, proves that character counts. Many of you have heard me talk about my occasional meetings with him and the uncharacteristic awe I felt in his presence. As I’ve said before, “You don’t just meet the Coach, you experience him.” His conversations are often dotted with pithy quotes, wise aphorisms, and insightful poems, but he teaches his lessons not so much by his sayings but through his strength of character. He exudes an inner dignity and moral strength that makes you want to be better. I’m sure John Wooden isn’t a perfect man, but he’s a darn good one – and we’re all lucky to have him among us. Happy birthday, Coach! Michael Josephson Send Coach Wooden your own birthday greeting here.
The centerpiece of the conference was an interview with Coach Wooden conducted by sportscaster/host Bob Costas and Los Angeles Times sports editor Bill Dwyer. I vividly remember how he transfixed the audience of sophisticated and powerful sports leaders, which included college presidents, athletic directors, and coaches who’d seen it all. They had no illusions about sports or sports heroes. When the Coach spoke, however, they hung on every word. Not because his words were original or brilliant but because his manner was a profound declaration of the power of integrity and decency. During the interview, he was asked about his decision to retire at the height of his success. When he casually referred to “the last game I ever taught,” he jolted the room with the simple eloquence of his description. Here was the clear and potent image of a man who saw himself to be, above all, a teacher. Few of those who heard him had ever thought in terms of teaching as their primary role. The document goes further stating, “Coaches, through words and example, must also strive to build the character of their athletes.” Wooden always saw himself as a teacher. For years he taught English as well as coached basketball. In the last year he coached, after winning an unprecedented tenth NCAA championship, he earned less than $40,000. Although his program routinely attracted some of the best players in the country, he visited only two recruits in their home during his career. He was an intense and passionate competitor who always wanted to win, yet he would bench a player before he hit the ground if he showboated, taunted, or scuffled with anyone. If any player discredited his uniform on or off the field, he would be dealt with sternly by the man who exemplified and demanded good character. Other great coaches win and teach what it is to be a good person – Dean Smith, Joe Paterno, Pat Summit – but they seem to a breed on the way to extinction. Today, top coaches are paid millions, not because they’re superb educators or teachers of character but because they put together winning teams. Even in high school, educational and character-building goals are often given little more than lip service. Millions of youngsters play sports. If we give up on the idea of a teacher-coach, the loss to the nation will be inestimable. We shouldn’t settle for anything less.
Henry David Thoreau said a philosopher is a person who seeks to understand and solve the most serious problems of life – not only theoretically but practically. A true philosopher, Thoreau added, is so committed to wisdom that he seeks to live wisely and so lives a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. By this definition, John Wooden is every inch a great American philosopher. Here are some of his insights from Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court with Steve Jamison: On learning: “Learn as if you were going to live forever, and live as if you were going to die tomorrow.” On success: “You must be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way.” On role-modeling: “Superstars who don’t want the responsibility that comes with public acclaim don’t have that choice. They are role models whether they like it or not. They cannot simply announce that they intend to shirk their responsibility. They are role models, either good or bad. So are you. So am I. I believe we have an obligation to make that model a positive one.” On trust: “It has been said that you will be hurt occasionally if you trust too much. This may be true, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough.” On perfection: “Perfection is an impossibility, but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts.” On management: “You’ll get better cooperation and results if you are sincerely interested in people’s families and interests, not simply how they do their job.” On joy: “Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for.” On winning: “If you prepare properly, you may be outscored, but you will never lose. You always win when you make the full effort to do the best of which you’re capable.” Obviously, these lessons for life go well beyond basketball. If we’re open to adjust our attitudes and change our behavior, we will live better lives. And as Wooden expected from all his players, we will become better people.
Since John Wooden retired in 1975, eight coaches have followed in his footsteps. Gene Bartow, Gary Cunningham, and Larry Brown coached two seasons. Larry Farmer and Walt Hazzard led the Bruins for three and four years respectively. Jim Harrick coached for eight seasons and won an 11th NCAA title in 1995. Steve Lavin was head coach for seven years. And now Ben Howland leads the program. In a memorable 2003 article, Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times asked Lavin and Howland what Wooden meant to them. Lavin recalled a lunch he had with Wooden six weeks after Lavin had left the program. “We talked the usual stuff,” Lavin told Dwyre. “Pretty soon, he leans forward and says, ‘Steve, I want to tell you something, and I think it is important that you take this the right way and that it is something that only a former UCLA coach could understand. And I hope this doesn’t offend you.’ “Then he gets that twinkle in his eye and continues: “‘You’re much better off.’” When Lavin had gotten the job after a scandal sent Harrick packing, Wooden told him to stay in the moment. “He told me, ‘Do not have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow. Keep both feet in today because that’s how you get to tomorrow.’” Lavin said he looked upon it as a young politician getting elected and getting on the phone with Lincoln or Washington. “There was John Wooden for me,” Lavin said. “It was like my own Mt. Rushmore coming to life.” Although current coach Ben Howland trails Lavin in years of exposure to Wooden and the corresponding appreciation, Dwyre wrote that he does have one element figured out. “When you think of UCLA basketball, you think of John Wooden,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do, nor anybody can do, to change that. Nor would I want to.”
Sports is one of the few places where life skill sets (integrity, perseverance, sacrifice, respect, responsibility, etc.) are formally taught. It’s a powerful instrument in which to instill and enhance positive values and behavior in participants, spectators, and society and to promote the integrity of the game. It’s been said that sports builds character. In fact, it reveals character. In 1999, the Josephson Institute convened more than four dozen leading American sports figures to develop a set of sportsmanship standards to guide administrators, coaches, and players from youth sports to collegiate sports to Olympic sports. The Arizona Sports Summit Accord includes 16 core principles. John Wooden was one of the attendees and signatories to the historic document.
In 2002, the Institute organized a third summit on youth sports in Los Angeles. Forty leaders from youth programs such as Little League, Pop Warner, AYSO, USA Volleyball, US Tennis, the Amateur Softball Association, and USA Hockey attended. The result was the Gold Medal Standards for Youth Sports. All three of these documents reflect Coach Wooden’s philosophy. Learn more »
John Wooden’s 99th Birthday
I spent seven years at UCLA (from 1960-1967) admiring the enormously successful basketball teams he taught (that’s the phrase he likes to use). He was an authentic legend and a personal idol, and when I finally had a chance to meet him 30 years later, I feared I’d be disappointed. My fears were unfounded. In fact, he exceeded my expectations. I’d read a lot about him, but it didn’t prepare me for the experience of being with him. John Wooden exudes an inner dignity, moral strength, and wisdom that is inspiring. His personal humility enhances the impression that you’re in the presence of a great man. He has a way of making everyone he talks with feel important. In our first meetings, he was embarrassingly respectful and deferential, calling me “Mr. Josephson” despite my requests that he use my first name. On my 60th birthday, he wrote me a handwritten letter that’s one of my most cherished mementos. The letter was written in strong, clear handwriting one would not expect from someone his age, yet it was emblematic of this impeccable man. Everything he says is imbued with integrity, respect, and kindness made so much more powerful because it’s genuine and effortless. This is particularly humbling. For me, striving to be a person of character involves a daily struggle. In comparison to Coach Wooden’s graceful authenticity, it sometimes feels as if I’m acting the part of a good person rather than really being one. It’s disconcerting, but I’m glad I have such an incredible role model to encourage higher aspirations. This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts. |
CHARACTER COUNTS! Sports, a project of the nonprofit Josephson Institute, leads the Pursuing Victory With Honor sportsmanship campaign.
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It’s a joyous and momentous coincidence. 
In 1999, the Josephson Institute gathered nearly 50 of the world’s most influential men and women in amateur sports – coaches, administrators, officials, youth group leaders, and journalists in Scottsdale, Arizona, to develop major reforms in the way sports are administered, coached, played, officiated, parented, and watched. The result was the Arizona Sports Summit Accord.
Following on the Accord’s success, the Institute held a basketball summit in Kansas City in 2001 to address ethical and character-building issues in basketball. Attending were nearly 50 university presidents, conference commissioners, and major college coaches. The result was the Game Plan for Amateur Basketball. 
I feel extraordinarily blessed to have had the occasional honor and privilege to work with Coach Wooden in the past decade, and the power of his character continues to enlighten and inspire me. 
Named “Coach of the Century” by ESPN and “Greatest Coach of All Time” by Sporting News, John Wooden knows how to win. In a winning-obsessed world, his observations are valuable.