Coach John Wooden has just passed away at 99...

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

The world was a better place yesterday.

Absolutely spot-on Steve.

[oldjudge]

A great coach and an even greater person. Two of the better people who have ever walked the face of the earth, John Wooden and Ernie Harwell, have left us this year. Rest in peace gentlemen.

[esehombre]

"You can't live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you"

John Wooden--1910-2010...the most beautiful human being I have ever known.

Thanks Barry for sharing the Bill Walton story--those are the best. One of my favorites is Bill's recollection of the first meeting he had with Coach Wooden while he was a senior in high school:

There had been several coaches who came to visit Bill before Wooden and they promised him everything under the sun--needless to say he was eager to hear what the "great coach from UCLA" would have to offer. John told him "Unfortunately Bill, I cannot match those promises--in fact, I cannot even promise you will make the team. You must first prove yourself as a man of character--and then you will have to meet the strict UCLA curriculum requirements--and they are tough. Once you do that, you will be outfitted with a practice uniform and allowed to try out for the team".

[barrysloate]

There are so many great Wooden stories. Many who played for him said he had a mystical quality.

[E93]

Echoing what everybody else said, the world is definitely a lesser place with him. RIP.
JimB

[barrysloate]

Psst Jim..."without" him

[alanu]

When I was in high school I read John Wooden's book "They Call Me Coach", it was the best book I had ever read, and remains one of my favorites to this day.