Sure, he was outrageously successful by all standards of measure in ways no coach will ever be again. He won seven NCAA championships in a row (1967-1973), and 10 in 12 years (1964-1975).
He won 80 percent of his 826 college games. He was ESPN’s Coach of the Century. In 2009 Sporting News named him the greatest coach of all time. He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003. ...
But one does not get medals and fame for the most compelling emblems of his life. Yet, we are still talking about him 35 years after he retired because virtue has a shelf life that outlives the 15 minutes of fame promised by Andy Warhol.
Wooden loved his wife. He met Nellie at a carnival in 1926 and they married in August of 1932. It would be a joyous union of 53 years. In March of 1985 cancer ended their storied love affair.
Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly made famous Wooden’s devotion to Nellie, describing monthly love letters on each anniversary of her death. After agreeing to a book on enduring love, Reilly showed up at the appointed hour and found Wooden weeping and saying, “It is too soon!”
That was 1995. It is no small irony that his faithfulness in marriage occurred next door to Hollywood.
John Wooden was out in front of the diversity curve, with a city game that actually accelerated the breaking down of walls between the races.
In 1947, while coaching at Indiana State, he refused an invitation to the NAIB tournament because they would not allow black players. The team stayed home with their African-American starter.
In the aftermath of the turbulent racial discord of the 1960s, Wooden is found embracing Sidney Wicks when the 1971 NCAA championship game was over. He loved Wicks and every other member of that great team. His pyramid of virtues includes “Friendship: comes from mutual esteem, respect and devotion. A sincere liking for all.
Coach stuck with the fundamentals. His teams excelled because they were devoted to the consistent practice of the basics. All the while he taught them about the basics of life.
John Wooden was a follower of Jesus Christ. In a cynical age, Wooden sticks out. He is not easily dismissed. He was the genuine article. His faith explains the legacy of his life. He said, “I’ve trusted Christ... There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior.” May His tribe increase!
Eric Mounts, pastor at Southgate Baptist Church, was an ’81 NAIA basketball All-American at Cedarville University.