It seems like basketball has been a part of our family forever. So when the opportunity came to read and review Coach Wooden’s Forgotten Teams by Pat Williams, I quickly signed up. John Wooden is known for his legendary coaching, his record-breaking run of NCAA championships, and for having worked with some of the best players in the sport.
However I did not know he had run summer youth basketball camps for almost twenty years. He shared his wisdom and knowledge of the sport with boys and girls between the ages of eight and fifteen. More so, he impacted their lives teaching them to live with integrity as they reached for their goals in life.
The book is rich with quotes from Coach Wooden and inspiring stories, each one driving home the concepts and philosophies Coach Wooden sought to instill in every one he met. This is a book I found most easy to read and most difficult to put down. This is a book for everyone not just for coaches for we all should desire to be better people, encouraging others to be the best they can be.
People mattered to this man …
“Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.”
~ Coach John Wooden
His summer camps were more than camp to him. He and his wife, Nell, came straight from church on Sundays, to get camp started with Nell doing the check-in and registration of the campers. He stayed involved in the activities all week long, getting to know his campers.
Pat Williams writes:
“As a coach, as a leader, as a teacher, as a mentor, and as a man of faith, Coach John Wooden was not merely a rarity. He was absolutely unique, incomparable, one of a kind. That’s why, year after year, camp after camp, the young people he influenced rose up as one and gave him a standing ovation. No ovation was ever more fitting or more honestly earned.
Coach Wooden influenced generations with authentic love. And that’s why he received so much love in return.”
~ page 45
This is a wonderful read with valuable insights sure to cause every reader to desire to be a better person. You will surely close the book desiring to be a person who influences and impacts others every day in all you do.
*** I received a copy of this book from Revell Books for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Trekking Thru the Week and #RaRaLInkup and Inspire Me Monday and Booknificent Thursday .
How wonderful it is when adults take the time to instill virtues into children.
Yes, and then, show us how we are to do the same. It was an inspiring look into how he chose to spend time with children who were not in the limelight. And who may not ever make it to play on college or professional teams. A reminder that every one matters.
This looks good! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
It really was an inspiring book. Makes a wonderful gift too.
Hi Joanne! I enjoyed reading this book review. It sounds like a great gift idea for teenagers (and used to be teenagers). Thanks for sharing!
Joy, yes, it truly makes a great gift for teenagers. I have already passed my copy along 🙂
This sounds like such an inspiring book! I’ll have to find a copy of it :).
Although I have read other books on and by Coach Wooden, I found this one to be my favorite.