by Craig Impelman | May 5, 2021 | Blog
The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Coach Wooden felt that the qualities it took to be a great leader were the same qualities it took to be a great parent. Great parents don’t criticize each other in front of their children; great...
by Craig Impelman | Apr 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are attained when we give them to others. Here are some key ideas regarding the three things we want most: Happiness: “Those who...
by Craig Impelman | Apr 20, 2021 | Blog
The person who usually does what he pleases is seldom pleased with what he does. Coach grew up on a farm in Indiana, and he rose early every morning before going to school to help milk the cows and do other chores required around the farm. When he arrived home from...
by Craig Impelman | Apr 6, 2021 | Blog
Laughter and humor are critical parts of being happy. We all should make the effort to achieve them the right way. But never try for a laugh at another’s expense. Try to laugh with others and never at them. Self-deprecating humor relays a message of humility and...
by Craig Impelman | Mar 31, 2021 | Blog
Every day with our actions and words, we knowingly or unknowingly influence others. Coach Wooden expanded on this idea: Like it or not, we have influence of many different kinds in many different places and should conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner. ...
by Craig Impelman | Mar 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
Keep courtesy and consideration of others foremost in your mind, at home and away. This favorite quote of Coach Wooden’s was a reminder for his players to treat the fans they encountered on the road with the same courtesy and consideration they gave to their fans at...
by Craig Impelman | Mar 16, 2021 | Blog
If you lose self-control, everything will fail. Coach Wooden expanded on this key idea of his: Discipline yourself and others won’t need to. If you lose self-control everything will fail. You cannot function physically or mentally or in any other way unless your...
by Craig Impelman | Mar 10, 2021 | Blog
If you keep too busy learning the tricks of the trade, you may never learn the trade. In his book Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations On and Off the Court with Steve Jamison, Coach expanded on this important idea: “There are no shortcuts. If you’re working on...
by Craig Impelman | Mar 3, 2021 | Blog
The contributions of John Wooden were recognized on May 2, 1983, when UCLA unveiled the $9.6 million John Wooden Recreation and Sports Center. The most honored player and coach in hoops history downplayed the event in characteristic style, saying, “Honors are...
by Craig Impelman | Feb 23, 2021 | Blog
This favorite quote of Coach Wooden’s is from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac. The idea was a key component in how Coach approached life, personally and professionally. In the Pat Williams and David Wimbish book How to Be Like Coach Wooden: Life Lessons...
