Wooden Wise

“No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules." ~ 2 Timothy 2:5

The small Indiana town contained barely 100 folks, but on weekends its dirt playground teemed with kids.  A brand new game called basket ball was attracting much attention.

Dad removed the bottom of an old tomato basket and tacked it on the hayloft inside the barn so his sons could practice.  Mom crafted a ball from an old sock stuffed with rags.  Though all four boys were quite good, Johnny was the best athlete.  His quickness more than made up for his lack of height.

At age eleven, Dad allowed Johnny to play on the school’s seventh grade team.  They played a haphazard schedule of five or six games (weather permitting).  Team uniforms consisted of a bib worn over their overalls; few owned shoes.  The lopsided leather ball matched an equally lumpy court.  He’d later credit both for forcing him to become an expert dribbler.

One day Johnny’s coach told him that a hastily-arranged game had been scheduled for that afternoon.  By now, he was easily the team's top scorer and a little conceited.  He’d forgotten his shoes and jersey, so he told the coach he'd need to be excused from classes early to go home and get them.   His coach responded unsympathetically.  “That's too bad, we're gonna miss you.”

Years later, Johnny went on to coach his own team, winning ten national championships (7 in a row).  He amassed a 620-147 record, the old-fashioned way, over 27 seasons at UCLA.  No dribbling behind the back or through the legs.  "There's no need," he'd say.  No UCLA basketball number was retired under his watch. "What about the fellows who wore that number before? They contributed too!" he'd say.  No long hair, no facial hair. "Takes too long to dry and you’ll catch cold leaving the gym," he'd say.

One day, his All-America center showed up with a full beard.  "It's my right," he insisted.  “I feel strongly about it.”

Coach John Wooden said, "That's good, Bill (Walton).  I admire people who have strong beliefs and stick by them, I really do.  We're gonna miss you."

There's never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach.  There’s never been another like him, quiet as a harvest moon and as moral as Andy of Mayberry; loyal to one God, one woman, one school, one way.

If you played for him, you played by his rules: “Never score without recognizing a teammate.  One word of profanity and you're done for the day.  Treat your opponent with respect.”

Coach Wooden died in 2010, four months short of his 100^th birthday.  Sure could use his wisdom now.  Kinda glad he isn’t here today to see what travesty college/pro athletics has become.

Loving God, when we they practice – give them strength.  When they compete – give them courage.  When they win give them humility and peace when they lose.  In all they do, their actions praise You.  Amen