October 14th marks the anniversary of the legendary John Wooden’s birth, and this story is a perfect example of his greatness.
While lots of basketball fans know a lot about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, many from the younger generation do not know as much as they should about the man who coached them in college. John Wooden is widely considered the greatest coach in American sports history, and for good reason.
Wooden was born on October 14th, 1910. While he passed away at the age of 99 in 2010, Wednesday marks the 116th anniversary of his birth. It is an excellent day to remember what made him great; his principles, his meticulousness, and his discipline. One Walton story is a great example of the latter.
Bill Walton once revealed how John Wooden got him to shave off his beard at UCLA
Walton came into the NBA as one of the greatest college centers ever. Playing for Wooden’s UCLA Bruins, he won two NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973, and was named national college player of the year three times. Despite his stardom, Wooden knew how to keep his superstar in check.
In the early 70s, the team had a rule against facial hair. Walton once returned from a 10-day break sporting a beard. Considering his stature and popularity, it wouldn’t have been surprising if an exception were made for him. How Wooden handled it showcased the discipline which is a lost art in the modern era. Their exchange, taken from Wooden’s 1997 memoir, was reported by the Wall Street Journal.
“Bill, have you forgotten something?” Wooden asked his star. “Coach, if you mean the beard, I think I should be allowed to wear it. It’s my right,” was the reply. The coach then asked, “Do you believe in that strongly?” Walton replied, “Yes, I do, coach. Very much.”
The legend then told the center, “Bill, I have a great respect for individuals who stand up for those things in which they believe. I really do. And the team is going to miss you.”
“Bill went to the locker room and shaved the beard off before practice began. There were no hard feelings. I wasn’t angry and he wasn’t mad,” Wooden said of the moment. “I think if I had given in to him, I would have lost control not only of Bill but of his teammates.”
In the world of modern basketball, it has become hard to remember that no superstar is bigger than the team. Wooden’s belief in his rules meant he was prepared to remove his best player from the team, and he conveyed that in extremely simple terms. There is a reason he won as much as he did.
John Wooden’s career achievements show why he is considered the greatest coach ever
Wooden led UCLA to 10 NCAA national championships in 12 seasons, including seven consecutive titles from 1967 to 1973. His teams recorded a mind-boggling 88-game winning streak between 1971 and 1974.
Wooden finished his 29-year coaching career with a 664-162 record and was named national coach of the year six times. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, becoming the first person to achieve that landmark.
His ‘Pyramid of Success’ philosophy emphasised teamwork, hard work and character, and became an enduring part of his legacy. He was a giant in the world of basketball and his disciplined outlook toward life remains important for every young athlete to learn about and inculcate within themselves.
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