Student leaders flocked to Fresno Pacific University to absorb information from coach John Wooden on Oct. 7. Wooden, the former head basketball coach for the UCLA Bruins, won numerous games and national titles making him the most successful coach in history. Wooden’s career merits him as a qualified speaker to young people about success.

Ten enthusiastic students participated in the event for a variety of reasons.

“I was excited to be able to learn from one of the greatest coaches ever,” Carson Belmont, ’05, said. “I also got to miss school. I learned a lot about leading for sports teams.”

Layne Meadows, ’05, felt this was a limited-time-offer event.

“I went to the John Wooden seminar because it’s not everyday someone like him comes around,” Meadows said. “He was a great coach back in the 60s. I was sure he had something good to say about his success and how to pass it on to others.”

Principal Gary Schultz believes Wooden to be an outstanding man of character.

“He [Wooden] is an amazing person,” Schultz proclaimed. “At 93-years-old he’s still giving lectures. He is the greatest basketball coach in the history of coaching; there is no other comparable coach. He also teaches Christian principles.”

Even teachers took pleasure in meeting the illustrious coach.

“He [Wooden] has a passion for basketball and is a classy individual,” Josh Tosland, math teacher, said. “People think he’s just a coach, but he’s actually a teacher of basketball.”

Tosland was able to pick-up some helpful tips about basketball and coaching.

“Don’t ever compare yourself to someone else,” Tosland said. “Do your best, not someone elses. Coaches words are remembered over long periods of time, maybe even generations.”

Wooden’s seminars teach people how to win in life.

“They are designed to help young people see the character issue,” Schultz said. “They think it’s just results; the most important thing in life is to do it right. What he [Wooden] teaches is to do it right and you will win.”

Wooden lifetime achievements include: seven times college basketball coach of the year [1964-75], All Time All-American Basketball Team in 1943, and Sports Illustrated’s “Sports Man of the Year” in 1973.

Wooden’s pyramid is built on 15 blocks of success tips including: friendship, loyalty and cooperation.

“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”

For more on coach Wooden’s 15 success tips, go to www.coachwooden.com.

For more on the seminar, visit www.fresno.edu/campusnews/wooden.html.