Reviewed By Rolf Crocker

The Book Report - August, 2011

There are many great books written by and about Coach John Wooden. I know – I own and have reviewed several. But when I saw this month’s book at Barnes and Noble over the weekend, I knew it would be something special. First, because it was authored by one of my favorite authors, Pat Williams, who is VP of Basketball Operations for the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Secondly, it was based on the seven point creed hand-written and handed to him by his father on the occasion of his eighth-grade graduation that defined his life and consequently, many of ours.

Coach Wooden by Pat Williams with Jim Denny (©2011 Revell Publishing, Kindle Edition). As you can probably guess, I’m a huge fan of Coach John Wooden. It is one thing to teach and espouse values and ethics, but quite another thing to actually live them out. A common theme among many of the former players interviewed for this book, Coach Wooden never directly spoke of the creed or his relationship with his father while he was coaching the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team, but when players learned of it afterward, they knew it was the guidance system for his life. As a result, players experienced the truths behind the creed before they knew the creed existed. The creed, authored by his father Joshua Hugh Wooden and given with the charge, “Son, try to live up to this,” is as follows:

1) Be true to yourself
2) Help others
3) Make each day your masterpiece
4) Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
5) Make friendship a fine art
6) Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live
7) Pray for guidance and counsel, and give thanks for your blessings each day

While the creed has an obvious spiritual overtone, it is much more than just that. It is also practical, containing interviews and memories with luminaries who were coached, mentored and inspired by him. Pat Williams does an excellent job of going to the source of the creed, then breaking down each one into practical steps. But perhaps most importantly, it is a look at the Parent-Child relationship, the amazing influence that an unknown, humble and truly “gentle” man can have on his offspring and how that influence transformed untold thousands of people in sports and in life. This is not theory – this is fruit, the outcome of a life well-lived. Do a Google search on “john wooden tribute”. It will take you days to read through it. Or, you can short-cut it and get this book. This is foundational leadership and life reading. 5 Stars!

Rolf Crocker is a national Vice President with Associa and CEO of M&C Communities in Stockton, CA  and he can be reached at

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