Ace of Spades HQ

June 04, 2010

John Wooden Passes at 99
— Dave in Texas

Most of us have seen this video, a tribute to his love for his wife Nellie. A beautiful story.

His coaching legacy, and his accomplishments, well. They speak for themselves.

The Wizard of Westwood is going to be remembered fondly, by his players and associates, far better than anything I could offer.

RIP. He was quick, but he didn't hurry.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 06:37 PM | Comments (50)
Post contains 72 words, total size 1 kb.

1 What a big loss for the good guys. RIP, Mr. Wooden.

Posted by: Otis Criblecoblis at June 04, 2010 06:41 PM (kJXs1)

2 Be quick, but for gracious sakes, don't hurry. That's what he would say to his players. Probably why he never won anything -- he just couldn't keep it real

Posted by: CallmeLennie at June 04, 2010 06:43 PM (dwISs)

3 Not to be insensitive but 99 years is a better run than I'l have...

Posted by: KZnextzone at June 04, 2010 06:49 PM (veaqz)

4 I didn't think I'd live to see Him be 100

Posted by: KZnextzone at June 04, 2010 06:51 PM (veaqz)

What a national treasure.

Sad night.

RIP to a legend.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at June 04, 2010 06:51 PM (6cGXc)

6 My high school basketball coach went over his pyramid of success with all of us, in great detail, and this was in the early 90's. Obviously the records, and championships, speak for themselves but I think the true greatness of the man is revealed in the fact that coaches at various levels, all around the country, still share much of his wisdom decades after he finished coaching.

Posted by: Dave S at June 04, 2010 06:58 PM (UvR6d)

7 Never heard of him. RIP nevertheless.

Posted by: eman at June 04, 2010 06:59 PM (QVpWo)

8 I met Coach Wooden 6 years ago at a book signing. Imagine a Borders Books filled with middle aged men acting like a bunch of teen aged girls waiting to meet the boy lead from "Twilight". He was 93, a bit hunched over, but his eyes lit up when he saw the crowd waiting for his signing. My (then) 10 year old son was with me with the Wooden book we purchased.
When we got to the head of the line, he looked at my son and asked him if he played basketball, what position he played. He gave my son some advice (he played center/forward) and told him not to neglect his conditioning, to become a proficient ball handler. We got a picture of our son with the Coach (destined to be a family heirloom). We thanked him, he thanked us for coming.
We did some shopping and came back 2-2 1/2 hours later, he was still signing books and by all appearances enjoying the afternoon. A true gentleman.
May he rest in peace.

Posted by: Mr. Chips at June 04, 2010 07:02 PM (pt5LS)

9 Top things to know about Wooden.

I praised his accomplishments last night. Apparently, it was not enough.

Never a losing season? Damn.

Posted by: logprof at June 04, 2010 07:04 PM (Mmw0q)

10 Probably why he never won anything -- he just couldn't keep it real

Posted by: CallmeLennie at June 04, 2010 10:43 PM (dwISs)

--Uh, WTF?

Posted by: logprof at June 04, 2010 07:05 PM (Mmw0q)

John Wooden's acomplishments speaking for themselves

Johnny Wooden 10 Championships. Next three coaches 10 Championships

Johnny Wooden vs Major conferences (Johnny Woot 10 crowns in 12 years)

ACC -- 11 Crowns in 53 years: SEC 10 crowns in 62 years

Big Ten -- 10 crowns in 70 years: Big East 5 crowns in 30 years

Posted by: CallmeLennie at June 04, 2010 07:07 PM (dwISs)

12 Sarcasm, logprof

Posted by: CallmeLennie at June 04, 2010 07:07 PM (dwISs)

13 "2 Be quick, but for gracious sakes, don't hurry. That's what he would say to his players. Probably why he never won anything -- he just couldn't keep it real - Callmedouchebag"

most ignorant thing I've read all week. Go choke yourself, asshole.

Posted by: tangonine at June 04, 2010 07:08 PM (C8Pcc)

14 It's probably not the thread for sarcasm. So you're still an asshole.

Posted by: tangonine at June 04, 2010 07:09 PM (C8Pcc)

15 Dang, after viewing that vid, I seem to have quite a bit of dust in my eyes....

RIP Coach Wooden.

Posted by: Intrepid at June 04, 2010 07:19 PM (92zkk)

16 I know what he means.

Posted by: rdbrewer at June 04, 2010 07:22 PM (eyjmD)

17 Nice post, DiT. The Wizard of Westwood for sure. He had a very long, very good life and I wish him nothing but the best. RIP, JW, you made a huge mark on this world. What more could a man ask for?

Posted by: Peaches at June 04, 2010 07:25 PM (fwW9R)

18 You know why I am not afraid of dying ... well, other than my beliefs as a Christian ... I GET TO SEE MY MOM AGAIN!!! ... okay, make fun of me if you want but .. it makes me feel great!!! Thanks for this video ... it just made me feel good ...

Posted by: jacksontn at June 04, 2010 07:30 PM (2Lbco)

19 The poem at the end...is it his and if not, whose? RIP dear man and may your loved one be at your side.

Posted by: beasn at June 04, 2010 07:32 PM (NWZhH)

20 Wayfaring ... Cash ... http://tinyurl.com/3v96z6

Posted by: jacksontn at June 04, 2010 07:33 PM (2Lbco)

21 I attended UCLA in the late '60's and once got to hear Coach Wooden give a speech. What a great learning experience. He was not only a great coach, but one of the greatest men of our era. His book, They Call Me Coach, and his pyramid of success should be required reading and taught to every high school freshman in America. If you have children, make sure they learn the principles in his pyramid of success. It provides a great basis to live a life of purpose, success and honor.

Posted by: Zoltan at June 04, 2010 07:37 PM (P84E9)

22 Not much of a basketball fan, especially college b-ball, so I didn't know much about Mr. Wooden other than the championships. After watching that, and having trouble seeing through the tears, I know that he knew what was really important - love. I hope he and Nellie are sharing a kiss right now. Morons take heed. That is what makes moronettes melt. Love, pure and simple. After my grandmother died, we found notebooks full of letters to my grandfather who had died 20 years before her. My grandma was a jovial, fun person and it broke my heart to read her letters to him, how lonely she was without him and how much she missed him. The only solace I got out of her death was knowing that she was lonely no more. She was with her beloved once again.

Posted by: pforeman at June 04, 2010 07:44 PM (S7Xpi)

23 pforeman ... yes! ... that is so sweet ...

Posted by: jacksontn at June 04, 2010 07:47 PM (2Lbco)

24 The man was a legend and a gentleman. This Trojan says rest in peace Coach, you were the best there will ever be.

Posted by: Minka at June 04, 2010 07:47 PM (6h9tf)

25 A true gentleman. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Posted by: ICBM at June 04, 2010 07:50 PM (9fA5t)

As a young lad, I had the privilege of attending the UCLA v UofH game in the Astrodome. Still, the best basketball game I have ever seen. Coach Wooden was always a class act.

Posted by: ICBM at June 04, 2010 07:53 PM (9fA5t)

27 Go Bruins!

He gave UCLA some of its greatest years. He'll be sorely missed.

Posted by: wherestherum at June 04, 2010 08:19 PM (gofDd)

28 What's sad is that the passing of some two-bit F-movie actress may get more love than the great John Wooden.

Not even 40 posts in 1 1/2 hours?

Oy vey.

Posted by: logprof at June 04, 2010 09:05 PM (Mmw0q)

29 IP = 78.110.8.18

Posted by: spammer at June 04, 2010 09:22 PM (WFYoY)

Permit this most worthless one to explain sarcasm. John Wooden led a most eventful life -- he was in fact one of my all time heroes. But in the context of our retarded, disgusting modern culture, he was of no account, because he didn't "keep it real" by saying " Be quick, but for Christ's effing sake, don't be in a fucking hurry."

The man never swore, which means no one would even take him seriously in our enlightened day and age. That was my point. My dad was like that. The worst thing you could get him to say was "piss" Yet he was in charge of a ward of mangled WWII veterans when he was 22, had nine kids and fought tooth and nail against cancer for 7 years. And yet according to our modern standards he didn't "keep it real" because he never once used the word "fuck" as is the case with your run of the mill third grader these days.

So that was my point. If it wasn't up to moron standards, I apologize. I'm new here

Posted by: CallmeLennie at June 04, 2010 09:29 PM (dwISs)

31 #28 & #30

I guess that is the price for living as long as he has. Anyone who cares in the least about college basketball is influenced by him, whether they know it or not, though.

Posted by: Dave S at June 04, 2010 09:39 PM (UvR6d)

32 A man whose life can be easily said to have enriched the world around us. He will be missed.

Also one of the few reasons to be proud to be born a Hoosier.

Godspeed, Coach.

Posted by: buster mcdissenter at June 04, 2010 09:41 PM (YBYHl)

33 A great man and a great coach who understood the game as it should be played.

Posted by: Lindsey Graham at June 04, 2010 10:28 PM (3hg5M)

34 IP = 113.109.186.82

Posted by: spammer at June 04, 2010 10:44 PM (TDCtB)

35 Fuck you spam posts!!

Posted by: logprof at June 04, 2010 11:14 PM (Mmw0q)

36 IP = 222.77.238.238

Posted by: spammer at June 04, 2010 11:48 PM (RXIjI)

37 IP = 222.77.238.238

Posted by: spammer at June 04, 2010 11:49 PM (RXIjI)

38 IP = 87.109.187.18

Posted by: spammer at June 05, 2010 04:00 AM (CT9Co)

39 I won't miss him. Hypocrite. All his players were on payroll. NCAA never investigated his payoffs because he was BB back then and TV needed him.

Some kids made $30K with their "summer jobs". Never a peep out of the NCAA. TV rules.

Posted by: Kemp at June 05, 2010 05:25 AM (2+9Yx)

40 Kemp--overly harsh, bwana. Really.

Wooden's teams were exercises in perfection. They simply had no weaknesses. And I don't buy the hypocrisy card. The guy was one Bill Walton war protest away from cutting him loose from the team. He did what most definitely do not do in this age of spoiled athletes at every level--he coached without coddling.

He's on the Mount Rushmore of coaching with Bryant and Lombardi. I'm not sure there is a fourth face up there.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at June 05, 2010 05:45 AM (+BcQ3)

41 Rest well, Mr. Wooden. Be at peace in the arms of your Savior, and may your reunification with your wife be all you dreamed it would be.

Posted by: Richard Romano at June 05, 2010 05:59 AM (jlgjV)

He even won at life. 99! - amazing.

Posted by: Roy at June 05, 2010 07:09 AM (oB9C/)

43 I used to eat breakfast in the Ackerman Student Union Building and you could just about set your watch by this wonderful man. He was always dignified yet humble but unless you knew who he was you'd never know how important and great a figure you were standing next to.

When I started coaching my son's basketball team, we used a lot of Wooden's techniques. He wrote what I believe is the best instructional text for basketball coaches in existence. Our teams flourished, largely because of the teachings of this great man. Our zone press became feared and our kids nicknamed it "Wizard."

I'm glad that he's been reunited with Nell at long last. R.I.P., coach.

Posted by: Gold Hat at June 05, 2010 07:52 AM (7Z/nq)

44 I think Roger Ebert is starting to give Andrew Sullivan a run for his money in terms of Palin derangement.

The latest examples of how petty and creepy and weird Ebert has gotten with regard to Palin include these three tweets. The first is a lie he refuses to correct, the second is incoherent, and the third involves JohnWooden.

Posted by: Kensington at June 05, 2010 08:26 AM (aDdAT)

45 Tears are flowing in this household today.

You will pardon me if I do not read the comments as someone always has the pleasure of coming and shitting on the rug first chance they get.

Posted by: jlfintx at June 05, 2010 10:12 AM (Wnk4X)

46 #41

Sorry,

I TOTALLY disagree. Hypocrite is too kind.

You seem to have no memory of Frank McGuire or Evert Case.

Coaches that coached and didn't buy players.

Clearly you live on the Left coast.

Posted by: Kemp at June 05, 2010 10:28 AM (2+9Yx)

47 Someone pointed this out on radio last night. As a college player, at Purdue, he was a three-time consensus All-American, won a national championship and a Player of the Year award, and was elected to the college Hall of Fame -- and "we're getting around to this half an hour in."

Posted by: Bob Hawkins at June 05, 2010 12:56 PM (CdyZ5)

48 I was wondering if anyone would mention his "looking the other way" while big boosters paid to get him the best players.Yes,he was an undoubtedly great coach and a very good man.Yes,that alone was enough to bring players to UCLA,especially after the first success.How many players went for the high paying summer jobs and other goodies?We'll never know how much he would have one with no taint,probably alot,but there is a taint.

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Posted by: weight loss at June 07, 2010 04:54 AM (O2kxW)

50 xxx

Posted by: Fish at June 08, 2010 10:14 AM (v1gw3)

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