Winning Words 6/7/10
“Material possessions, winning scores and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because he knows what we really are, and that is all that matters.” (John Wooden) Ben Stull, age 92, played on JW’s first basketball team in Dayton, KY. It was in 1932, and Ben has gotten a Christmas card every year since then from “Coach.” It’s too bad that he won’t get one this year. Wooden was more than a great coach; he was a great person, too. ;-) Jack

FROM MOLINER TG: Good words from John Wooden, an inspiring person without question. I heard him speak one time at the Deere Administrative Center. He spoke about the building blocks in his famous pyramid which was a part of his teaching technique. I remember his comment on coaching basketball, "I would always rather play an A Team with a B Coach, than a B Team with an A Coach." A great comment on motivation. FROM JACK: I haven't heard that quote before....I like it. It's dangerous to put a popular person on a high pedastal (pyramid), but Wooden seems to deserve that place.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: And a great example! Everyone ought to read "They Call Me Coach" FROM JACK: A great book, and a great man.

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: What a great story! All that I have heard about him, he was one of a kind. FROM JACK: Yes he was!.....and when you get right down to it, so are you.

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: Everyone seems to agree with that! He is much revered! FROM JACK: Revered is an interesting word. It's "almost" like reverend. Yes, revered applies to John Wooden, but it can also apply to you, and to all who make a difference in the lives of people.

FROM KZB IN COLORADO: When I was at my 25th Notre Dame reunion I saw a leadership lecture from Lou Holtz and Father Hesburgh (now 93 years old!) gave the homily at the all-class mass. It was an amazing sermon - he said that he had 3 simple words that will change our lives going forward, that we should use whenever we are struggling, celebrating, working through business/family/social issues. He says them in the morning when he wakes up and at night when he goes to bed. "Come Holy Spirit". He seemed to be glowing up on the podium/alter too, which was a very
interesting sight. A very, very moving sermon.