“Make each day your masterpiece.”
-John Wooden
On June 4, 2010, the world lost a legend and I lost a friend. Basketball coach John Wooden passed away at 99 years of age.
John Wooden’s stories and quotes show up in a number of my books, for good reason. He was an amazing man. He coached basketball for over forty years. And in all those years, he had only one losing season (his first). He led his U.C.L.A. teams to four undefeated seasons and a record 10 NCAA championships, including seven in a row. Wooden was an amazing leader and coach, with a natural gift for words of encouragement and direction.
As a kid, I shared his love of basketball. As a young adult, I respected his amazing coaching success at UCLA. And more recently, I enjoyed the great privilege of being mentored by him. I already knew he was a great coach and leader, but by getting to know him personally, I learned that he was a great man.
So I’m sad to lose John Wooden. But at the same time I’m glad that he left such an amazing legacy – in people like me, in his former players, and in his books and teachings.
Just a few days after hearing the news, I was able to dedicate a sermon to him. Here is a link to the video:
Inside-Out Living, Christ Fellowship, 6/5/2010
The topic of my sermon was living from the inside out. No one that I know lived that way better than John Wooden did.
When Coach Wooden was ninety-two years old, I interviewed him in a conference, and one of the questions I asked was how he wanted to be remembered. His response brought a gasp from the audience. “I certainly don’t want to be remembered for trophies and national championships,” he said without hesitation. After thinking a moment he said, “I hope people will remember me as one who was kind and considerate of others.”
I’m honored to have known John Wooden. His life was a masterpiece. I hope his legacy impacts you as it has me.
For more of John Wooden’s wisdom, check out his most recent book, A Game Plan for Life. I was honored to write the foreword.
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
— John Wooden
22 responses so far ↓
1 Raul // Jun 23, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Thanks John for this. Indeed, John Wooden left a great legacy outside of basketball.
2 Tom Robinson // Jun 23, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Super response to the passing of a uniquely gifted leader, teacher, coach and man. May we all seek to live our lives in ways that pattern and reflect the values of John Wooden. I’ll be checking out that sermon link, very soon. Blessings – as your torch shines brighter for having such a dear and wonderful friend, in Coach Wooden.
3 Sean E Carmody // Jun 23, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I am in sales. I have often heard about living life from the inside-out. As I have been following the comments about John Wooden, I have begun to learn what it means to live that way. He was more interested in the things that really matter. The things that are on the inside and I gather that when we live from the inside out. The outside will take care of itself. Powerful! Thank you John Wooden!
4 J.T. Burton // Jun 23, 2010 at 9:29 pm
There are so few people who will or are willing to live a life inside out. Thanks for all the good examples we have had. And thanks, John!
5 Steve Schultz // Jun 23, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Dr. Maxwell,
Are you attending John Wooden’s memorial service this Saturday at UCLA? It was John Wooden who first turned me onto reading your books.
6 Dave Williamson // Jun 24, 2010 at 8:53 am
I was a fan of John Wooden’s teams first, beginning with the year Lew Alcindor joined the freshman team. As I came to know more about this singular man’s character, I became a fan for life. I love that he is reunited with his beloved Nell, and though his physical presence is taken, he will indeed survive in the hearts of those who value what he unfailingly stood for. Thanks for this, John.
7 Barb Giglio // Jun 24, 2010 at 8:54 am
Any one who wishes to be remembered as “kind and considerate of others” is and sets the greatest examples in life. I will watch your sermon later today and check out his quotes. Thanks for sharing as always such positive and inspiring topics. You brighten the days!
God bless!!
8 Milt W // Jun 24, 2010 at 9:46 am
Indeed an extraordinary man who knew what was most important in life. Thanks for taking the time to highlight his life.
9 Jason Harwood // Jun 24, 2010 at 11:09 am
Being a little younger I didn’t know him as much for the basketball, but am glad to know him more for the influence he had on people. That is all I heard about Coach Wooden growing up. Hopefully that is true of many of us.
10 Kunle Yusuf // Jun 24, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Times like this call for more of John Woodens. It is rare to find a man that is kind and sincerely considerate of others. No doubt, Wooden has left indelible mark on the sand of time.Interestingly, he is not remembered because of the wealth he amassed. Let the young people like us emulate this great man. He is a legend indeed!
11 Oliver // Jun 24, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Dear John, You have really lost a great friend in Wooden. Be consoled. I didn’t know him, but you introduced me to him through your books. And come to think of it… I was in the United States when he died! I wanted to see him face to face, but my schedule couldn’t allow me. He was a great man. I hope he will also be a great man before God. May He rest in peace. Amen
12 Wunmi // Jun 24, 2010 at 5:19 pm
When I hear stories like this it really humbles me. I love hearing about good people who walked this earth and preached greatness and positivity. I am also glad to have been introduced to who you are by a member at my Church. Keep up the good work. I can’t wait for the day when everyone gets along, no more evil on the earth, just pure happiness and peace.
13 Brian McElfish // Jun 24, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I had the privilege of hearing him speak about 4 years ago and I wish I could have sat there and listened to him for 4 more hours. An amazing man, human being and leader. A great loss, but a valuable life!
14 Yvonne Green // Jun 24, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Thankful for the legacy that He was willing to leave behind. It was such an honor this past year just to tell Him Happy Birthday. I remember how He said the 2 most important words in the English Language are “Thank- you” and why that was important. He had such profound wisdom. The world needs more people like John Wooden and John Maxwell.
15 bhutadol // Jun 24, 2010 at 8:53 pm
thank you for this.
I read his story from your book, today matters.
John Wooden is a saga.
16 Clóvis (Brasil/ Curitiba) // Jun 25, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Um Exemplo para ser seguido, grandes lições prátcas Jonh Wooden nos deixou.
17 Janet Brown // Jun 28, 2010 at 2:06 pm
John – I have been continually challenged by your ministry – thank you for honoring your friend and my husband’s mentor, John Wooden. His life as well as his coaching style has been the bedrock for Dave Brown, a High School Basketball coach for 37 years in Orange County, CIF and Coaches Hall of Fame recipient, a legend there and now in retirement here in Oregon. Coach Wooden began his influence on Dave by allowing him to watch the U.C.L.A. practices where Dave took copious notes. This was before Dave knew Christ however, Coach Wooden’s influence was much deeper than coaching strategies, it permeated Dave’s spirit as a new young coach. Now, in “retirment” yet again John Wooden’s influence reaches a new generation at a new Christian High School here in Oregon where Dave is doing what both he and Coach Wooden loved the most, coaching young men into life. The result? Continued success and favor – after three years of State play, the first two brought 2nd in State and this past March the State Championship and State Coach of the Year. But the most important thing it has accomplished is binging the spirit of Christ to a sport…so Wooden! This is just one testimony to Coach Wooden’s profound legacy … but it represents many.
18 Nancy Sutherland // Jun 28, 2010 at 5:08 pm
It amazes me how far and wide the influence of Coach Wooden went beyond basketball. His attitude will be part of his legacy that will live on for another hundred years at least!
19 michael yancey // Jun 28, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Thank you, John, for the beautiful sermon. It touched my heart down deep. I can relate to the desire. I have seen a few live this way…quiet, steady saints. I was blessed with a few ancestors that have impacted my life in this fashion. I so want to be just like you preached, and pass it on to my children.
20 Oliver Izuogu // Jun 29, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Dear John, You have really lost a great friend in Wooden. Be consoled. I didn’t know him, but you introduced me to him through your books. And come to think of it… I was in the United States when he died! I wanted to see him face to face, but my schedule couldn’t allow me. He was a great man. I hope he will also be a great man before God. May He rest in peace. Amen
21 Katherine // Jul 1, 2010 at 9:47 am
Dear John, You have really lost a great friend in Wooden. Be consoled. I didn’t know him, but you introduced me to him through your books. And come to think of it… I was in the United States when he died! I wanted to see him face to face, but my schedule couldn’t allow me. He was a great man. I hope he will also be a great man before God. May He rest in peace. Amen
22 MARLON VALLADARES // Jul 4, 2010 at 12:50 am
QUERIDO JHON C. MAXWELL: ESPERO QUE ESTÉ MUY BIEN EN DONDE SEA QUE ESTÉ. HACE UNOS DIAS EMPECE A LEER EL LIBRO ” EL PODER DE LAS RELACIONES” Y ME INTERESA MUCHO PODER LLEVAR UNA BUENA RELACION CON LAS DEMAS PERSONAS, AUNQUE ME CUESTA MUCHO YA QUE SOY MUY IMPACIENTE CON LAS PERSONAS LENTAS. ADEMAS DE ESO ME GUSTARIA DEJAR DE PONERME NERVIOSO FRENTE AL PUBLICO, PORQUE ESO HACE QUE SE ME OLVIDE EL DISCURSO QUE HABIA PREPARADO. FELICITACIONES, ES PRIMER LIBRO QUE LEO DE USTED, PERO ME GUSTA MUCHO.