Heaven may have gained, but Earth has certainly lost. John Wooden, a man of grace and endless class is dead at the age of 99. There is no hunting down a quote to say something nice, but rather an overabundance of such. It really isn't possible to hear someone say something besides glowing praise and admiration. A man who lived by his father's code “Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books – especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.” to the T. Lew Alcindor said he was "more of a parent than a coach". A strict man who demanded, and received the best from his players. Transforming his players into men in a short 4-year span. His life lessons echo through all of them, forever changed as people, not just players.
It's painful to think about what a loss we've really endured. In a time where players are assumed to be pumping more steroids than a Mr. Olympian body-builder, here was someone who couldn't be accused of anything besides being perfect. The stories you hear of Wooden are all too perfect to imagine. His beloved wife, Nell, was the only women he ever dated. Though she passed 25 years ago, he wrote a love letter to her every Sunday. His "Pyramid for Success" is still a gold standard for leadership and how to live life for anyone. It's not possible to gauge his true impact on not only basketball, but the lives he was a part of. It's really a sad day and tragedy that will never be forgotten. Scott Van Pelt really said it best when he said it isn't possible to think of someone else who has gotten more out of 99 years of life than John Wooden. God bless you and enjoy the most well-deserved trip to eternity of any person to talk the earth.
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