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Lesson from the Hardwood
by Chase Harker
Growing up in Indiana, I naturally have a great appreciation for many things “Midwest”: sweet corn, pork tenderloins, fresh tomatoes, and cream pie. And because I am a Hoosier, I also have a deep love of basketball.
Basketball is so ingrained in Indiana’s culture that the state boasts ten of the 12 largest high school gyms in the US, the largest crowd (40,000+) to ever attend a high school basketball game, and the plot for the best sports movie of all time, aptly named Hoosiers
Thanks to “Hoosier Hysteria,” Indiana has raised many basketball greats such as Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson, and perhaps the greatest coach of all time, John Wooden. Wooden was born in a small town southwest of Indianapolis and started his basketball journey as a three-time All-American player for Purdue University. Although he had a notable playing career, he is most well-known for his stellar coaching career, having won ten National Collegiate Athletic Association national championships in 12 seasons as head coach of the University of California–Los Angeles Bruins. During his tenure, his teams also achieved four undefeated seasons.
While John Wooden had a sterling reputation as a great coach thanks to his team’s unparalleled success, more people are familiar with his name and story 50 years after his final season because of how he impacted the game of basketball — and sports in general — through his many coaching and leadership books. It was his character and his ability to instill good principles in his players and others that led to his lasting legacy.
Having good character was at the heart of what Wooden taught his players. He celebrated hard work, discipline, and teamwork. He emphasized leading by example, acting courageously, being punctual, and having respect for others. He was a masterful coach because upheld these values through his own behavior.
One of Coach Wooden’s most famous quotes perfectly sums up how he approached coaching and life: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Coach Wooden’s wisdom is timeless. In today’s social-media-driven society, it’s easy to get wrapped up in promoting a good reputation when what really matters is cultivating good character. As we all set out to achieve success in and out of the show ring, we’d do well to keep this in mind. Because as Wooden would say, we should “never cease trying to be the best you can be.” .
