Ten NCAA mens basketball championships (which includes 7 consecutively), 16 Final Four appearances, Eighty eight consecutive victories and Thirty-eight straight tourneys. Those are all records that will likely not be broken and every one of those records belong to UCLA basketball teams guided by John Wooden. If that's insufficient evidence to convince you of Wooden's renowned status, consider the fact that he's one of only three individuals to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. There is no doubt that Wooden was ahead of the game. But what was it, exactly, that made him among sports very best stories of success?
In 1948, Wooden accepted the empty coaching position at the University of California, Los Angeles. At the time Wooden accepted the coaching job in California, UCLA hadn't had much previous success. In reality, they were thought of as among the the weakest teams within the Pacific Conference. Many felt the addition of Wooden would have not much impact on the team. However, they were quickly proved wrong. In Wooden's first year as coach, UCLA went 22-7. The next year, the Bruins compiled a 24-7 record and won the conference title.
They would proceed to get the title again in 1952, 1956, 1962 and 1963. However, it wasn't until 1964, nearly sixteen years after Wooden was appointed, that the Bruins would win their very first title. Not only did they win the title, but they accomplished it in perfect style, winning all the games they took part in that year. The Wooden-led Bruins would win the title again in 1965.
From 1967 to 1973, the Bruins amassed 7 NCAA basketball title banners for their stadium's rafters. No team before, or after, the UCLA Bruins of the late 1960's and early 1970's has ever been capable of matching such a historical run of prominence. The fact is, you will be hard-pressed to uncover any team, from any sport, to match the success that the Bruins had during their run.
1974 was the 1st year in seven seasons that the Bruins did not win a title. Nonetheless, between the '73 and '74 season, UCLA established an NCAA record by winning Eighty-eight straight games.
In 1975, in Wooden's last year, the Bruins yet again went back to the national spotlight and seized their last title in the Wooden era. At the end of his career, John Wooden had accumulated 885 wins and produced an .813 winning percentage.
Wooden never spoke with his teams about winning or losing. Rather, he only spoke on trying to win. He was not as interested in the result of the games he coached, as he was with the way his players managed themselves. All Wooden wanted from his players, was that they give the team their very best. With 10 championships over a 12-year time frame, I'd have to say that that philosophy paid off pretty well.
To study about the life and principles of a man who was so respectful but still found a lot success was amazingly motivating to me. Wooden had such a significant affect on his players and on individuals around him. It's interesting, because, while I have never been in John Wooden's presence, you can feel what those who did encounter him must have felt, by simply reading through some of his work. Regardless of the praise he gets from past players and rival coaches, it's made obviously clear in his writing that he was a man of incredible ethics. Clearly, there is a lot about achieving success that can be learned from the legendary coach.
In 1948, Wooden accepted the empty coaching position at the University of California, Los Angeles. At the time Wooden accepted the coaching job in California, UCLA hadn't had much previous success. In reality, they were thought of as among the the weakest teams within the Pacific Conference. Many felt the addition of Wooden would have not much impact on the team. However, they were quickly proved wrong. In Wooden's first year as coach, UCLA went 22-7. The next year, the Bruins compiled a 24-7 record and won the conference title.
They would proceed to get the title again in 1952, 1956, 1962 and 1963. However, it wasn't until 1964, nearly sixteen years after Wooden was appointed, that the Bruins would win their very first title. Not only did they win the title, but they accomplished it in perfect style, winning all the games they took part in that year. The Wooden-led Bruins would win the title again in 1965.
From 1967 to 1973, the Bruins amassed 7 NCAA basketball title banners for their stadium's rafters. No team before, or after, the UCLA Bruins of the late 1960's and early 1970's has ever been capable of matching such a historical run of prominence. The fact is, you will be hard-pressed to uncover any team, from any sport, to match the success that the Bruins had during their run.
1974 was the 1st year in seven seasons that the Bruins did not win a title. Nonetheless, between the '73 and '74 season, UCLA established an NCAA record by winning Eighty-eight straight games.
In 1975, in Wooden's last year, the Bruins yet again went back to the national spotlight and seized their last title in the Wooden era. At the end of his career, John Wooden had accumulated 885 wins and produced an .813 winning percentage.
Wooden never spoke with his teams about winning or losing. Rather, he only spoke on trying to win. He was not as interested in the result of the games he coached, as he was with the way his players managed themselves. All Wooden wanted from his players, was that they give the team their very best. With 10 championships over a 12-year time frame, I'd have to say that that philosophy paid off pretty well.
To study about the life and principles of a man who was so respectful but still found a lot success was amazingly motivating to me. Wooden had such a significant affect on his players and on individuals around him. It's interesting, because, while I have never been in John Wooden's presence, you can feel what those who did encounter him must have felt, by simply reading through some of his work. Regardless of the praise he gets from past players and rival coaches, it's made obviously clear in his writing that he was a man of incredible ethics. Clearly, there is a lot about achieving success that can be learned from the legendary coach.
About the Author:
The legendary coach, nicknamed "The Wizard of Westwood" was perhaps one of the greatest coaches in all of sports. His style of leadership is still being copied today. For more information on John Wooden and his life, follow the link to continue reading on.. Unique version for reprint here: John Wooden and the Incredible Success of the UCLA Bruins.
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